CASC2 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Consequently, this study was designed to explore the serum levels of lncRNA CASC2 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in SLE and its correlation with its downstream target miR-155 expression levels in SLE patients (with and without nephritis), explore the correlation of both biomarkers with the clinicopathological parameters of SLE, also to determine their ability to detect disease severity and progression and predict LN among SLE patients.