Circular RNA hsa_circ_0012673 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression via miR-576-3p/SOX4 Axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to exert critical roles in human cancers. In this study, we investigated the role and molecular mechanism of hsa_circ_0012673 in breast cancer. Herein, we found that the expression of hsa_circ_0012673 was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0012673 using RNA interference technique suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0012673 sponged miR-576-3p to stabilize SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4), and thereby facilitating breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Collectively, our study identified the oncogenic properties of hsa_circ_0012673/miR-576-3p/SOX4 axis in breast cancer, providing potential and exploitable diagnostic and therapeutic molecules for breast cancer.