HOXC13-AS accelerates cell proliferation and migration in oral squamous cell carcinoma via miR-378g/HOXC13 axis

•HOXC13-AS was upregulated in OSCC and silencing HOXC13-AS inhibited proliferation, migration, and EMT in OSCC cells.•HOXC13-AS post-transcriptionally upregulated HOXC13 in OSCC cells.•HOXC13-AS mediated malignant phenotypes in OSCC cells through targeting HOXC13.•HOXC13-AS induced HOXC13 expression by absorbing miR-378g.