OBJECTIVENon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes a common malignant tumor characterized by substantial mortality rates. Transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) have been implicated in the progression of various cancers, including NSCLC. However, to date, only a limited number of tsRNAs have been reported to be involved in the development of NSCLC. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the potential roles of tsRNAs in the progression of NSCLC.MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of forty-six patients with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection were enrolled in this study. The expression patterns of tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) in tumor and normal tissues of 6 NSCLC cases were investigated using RNA-sequencing assay. Cell viability, proliferation capacity, and migratory ability were measured utilizing the CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, respectively. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was evaluated by applying flow cytometry. The xenograft tumor model was constructed to observe tumor growth. The relationship between tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 and PLOD1 was clarified using the luciferase and RIP assays.RESULTSThe RNA-sequencing assay revealed a significant decrease in the expression of tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 in tumor tissues. In line with this finding, qRT-PCR analysis further confirmed a meaningful downregulation of tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 in 46 patient samples with NSCLC. Importantly, this downregulated expression was strongly correlated with reduced patient survival. Additionally, overexpression of tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration capabilities of NSCLC cells, leading to suppressed tumor growth and accelerated apoptosis. Furthermore, tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 was capable of binding to PLOD1, thereby negatively regulating its expression. Notably, the restoration of PLOD1 expression was able to counteract the inhibitory effects of enforced tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.CONCLUSIONThe expression level of tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 was found to be decreased in NSCLC. Overexpressed tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 exhibited inhibitory effects on NSCLC cell proliferation and migration, accelerated apoptosis, and suppressed tumor growth by targeting PLOD1. These findings highlight tRF-20-M0NK5Y93 as a promising target for NSCLC therapy.