Identification of the regulatory role of the circ_0004788/miR‐515‐5p/FGF2 network in nasopharyngeal carcinoma development

Background CircularRNAs (circRNAs) played vital roles in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the impacts of circ_0004788 on the development of NPC have not been explored. Methods Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) and colony formation assays were applied to determine cell proliferation. Wound healing, transwell invasion assay, tube formation assay, and flow cytometry were employed for the detection of cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, respectively. Xenograft tumor experiment was used to explore the biological role of circ_0004788 in NPC in vivo. Results Circ_0004788 and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were significantly elevated, and microRNA‐515‐5p (miR‐515‐5p) was dramatically decreased in NPC tissues and cells. The impacts of circ_0004788 knockdown on cell progression in NPC cells were reversed by miR‐515‐5p inhibitor, and FGF2 overexpression could block the suppressive effect of miR‐515‐5p on cell progression in NPC cells. Conclusion Circ_0004788 knockdown restrained the progression of NPC via the miR‐515‐5p/FGF2 axis.