Considering that KCNQ1OT1 as a regulator of autophagy was correlated with chemoresistance in some cancers like colorectal cancer and NSCLC24,28,29, we speculated elevated KCNQ1OT1 in IR-resistant cells might keep them from IR damage by the promotion of autophagy. The gene discussed is KCNQ1OT1; the disease is cancer.