Emerging evidence indicates that aberrant long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression contributes to CRC pathogenesis. To explore the biological functions of IncRNAs in CRC and to identify the underlying mechanisms, we first conducted a IncRNA microarray assay to investigate lncRNA expression patterns in CRC. We identified a novel lncRNA OECC, originating from chromosome 8q24 that is highly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines and has a positive correlation with liver metastasis. Attenuation of IncRNA OECC expression prohibited CRC cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration. Furthermore, an inverse correlation between lncRNA OECC and miR-143-3p was observed. Bioinformatic analyses predicted, and a luciferase reporter assay demonstrated, that IncRNA OECC is a direct target of miR-143-3p, leading to down-regulation in the expression of its target genes, the NF-kappa B and p38 MAPK pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that IncRNA OECC is overexpressed in CRC and may play an oncogenic role through NF-kappa B and p38 MAPK pathway activation via miR-143-3p. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.