Circular RNAs—New Kids on the Block in Cancer Pathophysiology and Management

Abstract

The ever-increasing number of cancer cases and persistently high mortality underlines the urgent need to acquire new perspectives for developing innovative therapeutic approaches. As the research on protein-coding genes brought significant yet only incremental progress in the development of anticancer therapy, much attention is now devoted to understanding the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in various types of cancer. Recent years have brought about the awareness that ncRNAs recognized previously as “dark matter” are, in fact, key players in shaping cancer development. Moreover, breakthrough discoveries concerning the role of a new group of ncRNAs, circular RNAs, have evidenced their high importance in many diseases, including malignancies. Therefore, in the following review, we focus on the role of circular RNAs in cancer, particularly in cancer stem-like cells, summarize their mechanisms of action, and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art toolkits to study them.

Regulatory Roles of Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer

“…They summarize the various mechanisms by which circRNAs can influence cancer progression and discuss the latest tools available with which circRNAs can be studied. The review highlights the potential of circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers and targets for cancer therapy [11]. This is an interesting finding by Nuñez-Olvera et.…”

MiR-128-3p – a gray eminence of the human central nervous system

“… 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 The miR-128-3p depletion in glioblastoma tissue and cells is most likely caused by the disrupted activity of microRNA processing machinery 45 but likely involves a combination of many other factors like additional mutations or epigenetic changes in genes involved in microRNA processing or aberrant transcriptional regulation. Other RNA molecules (e.g., circular RNAs 46 ) might also compete with miR-128-3p for binding to common mRNA targets or "sponge" it out from the cells, effectively neutralizing its effect., and further research is needed to elucidate the intricate regulatory networks involved. The deregulation of miR-128-3p expression in a cell-specific manner is associated with neurological disorders due to its function in different cell types.…”

From Fluids to Forecasts: The Promise of Small Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs in Revolutionising Cancer Diagnostics

“…The focus on cellular RNAs, particularly miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs, has intensified, given their roles in cancer pathophysiology [11][12][13]. The intersection of sEV cargo with miRNAs has garnered significant attention for its potential in cancer biomarker research.…”