Evaluation of long non-coding RNA n34560, AF147447 and SNHG8 genes expression levels in gastric cancer patients and their association with Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus infections

The occurrence of gastric cancer is associated with numerous aspects, including the host's lifestyle and genetic history. Understanding gastric cancer molecular mechanisms can improve our insight into the early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In this study, the RNA level of SNHG8, AF147447, and n34560 genes in gastric tumor tissues was investigated and their association with Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus infections was evaluated. Formalin-fixed paraffinembedded (FFPE) tissues (100 samples), including 50 samples of gastric cancer tissues and 50 samples of healthy tissues were taken. The expression level of SNHG8, AF147447, and n34560 genes in gastric cancer and control tissues were examined using the qRT-PCR technique. A significant association was observed between the expression level of the SNHG8 gene in gastric tumor tissues compared to the healthy tissues (P=0.0003). Relative expression of AF147447 and n34560 genes did not show any significant difference among gastric tumor tissues compared to the normal tissues (P=0.2984, P=0.9158). In addition, pathological comparison of clinical data with the expression of SNHG8, AF147447, and n34560 genes did not show any significant association in tumor and healthy tissues, but the expression level of AF147447 gene in Helicobacter pylori infection (P=0.0458) and expression level of n34560 gene in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (P=0.0362) showed significant association. In conclusion, we found a significant association between SNHG8 gene expression levels and the possible cancer incidence. Also, a significant association was observed between the expression of n34560 and AF147447 genes relating to H.pylori and EBV infections in gastric cancer.