Fig. 9

Serum expression exosomal lncRNA PART1 is associated with gefitinib resistance in ESCC patients. a RT-qPCR analysis of serum expression of exosomal lncRNA PART1 in patients responding or not responding to gefitinib treatment. ^***P < 0.001 compared to Response group. b-d Exosomal PART1 expression level was not significantly influenced by long exposure (b), RNase A digestion (c) or PH values (d). e ROC curve analysis of the diagnostic value of exosomal PART1 in ESCC patients receiving gefitinib treatment. f. RT-qPCR suggested that the proportion of patients that showed resistance to gefitinib therapy was significantly higher in high PART1 expressing groups than in low expressing group. g. A schematic diagram of exosomal lncRNA PART1 in ESCC gefitinib resistance. In gefitinib-resistant ESCC cells, lncRNA PART1 promotes gefitinib resistance by targeting Bcl-2 signaling, inducing the suppression of apoptotic proteins expression and inhibition of cell apoptosis. Moreover, lncRNA PART1 can be packaged into exosomes and secreted from gefitinib-resistant ESCC cells, transferring resistance to recipient-sensitive cells