Background: Hoxa transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) plays an oncogenic role in multiple cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may impact the expression and function of HOTTIP; nevertheless, limited studies have explored the correlation between HOTTIP SNP and CRC. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performances of non-coding RNAs HOTTIP and miR-216a expressions among CRC patients, in addition to investigating the genetic links between CRC susceptibility and HOTTIP SNP rs3807598. Methods: 50 CRC cases and 50 controls were encompassed in the study. HOTTIP and miR-216a were quantified using
qRT-PCR. Genotyping for HOTTIP rs3807598 was carried out utilizing the TaqMan allelic discrimination test by Realtime PCR. Results: Compared to healthy individuals, the CRC patients exhibited significantly down-regulation in miR216a expression and up-regulation in HOTTIP expression levels. The ROC curve analysis indicated reliable diagnostic
performances of both serum miR-216a and HOTTIP among CRC patients (AUC= 0.87 and 0.94 respectively, p<0.0001). Furthermore, lncRNA HOTTIP SNP rs3807598 (C:G) was shown to be substantially linked to increased risk of CRC Significantly. Also the GG genotype showed significantly elevated expression profile of miR-216a and HOTTIP among HOTTIP genotypes. Conclusion: Based on these results, miR-216a and HOTTIP could serve as biomarkers for CRC early diagnosis