As we predicted that FOXO3 was a target of miR‐23a‐3p and LINC00472 could bind to miR‐23a‐3p based on the bioinformatic analysis, we speculated the functionality of LINC00472 as a ceRNA of miR‐23a‐3p to regulate FOXO3 and subsequently influence BID‐dependent cancer cell apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene FOXO3 and cancer.