Long non-coding RNA implicated in the invasion and metastasis of head and neck cancer: possible function and mechanisms

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) ranks as the 6th most common malignancy across the world. Metastasis is a hallmark of cancer, primarily contributing to the relapse and poor prognosis of HNC. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), previously considered as non-functional, are increasingly appreciated by scholars to play crucial roles in mediating HNC metastasis. LncRNAs, which are located in the nucleus and cytoplasm, mainly exert their function via epigenetic modification, transcriptional control and translational regulation. As several lncRNAs are presently demonstrated to participate in HNC metastasis, we make a summary of the functions and mechanisms regarding these lncRNAs. As shown in the literature, most lncRNAs appear to promote the metastasis of HNC. Hence, we primarily discuss the lncRNAs involved in enhancing metastasis. Additionally, more studies are needed to understand those lncRNAs without clear mechanisms. Furthermore, we introduced the upstream regulator for the aberrant expression of lncRNAs in HNC. Finally, we concisely addressed future research prospects of lncRNAs, particularly the interplay between lncRNAs and tumor immunity as well as lncRNA-targeted therapeutic techniques, and we introduced clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Display as a possibly transformative tool to study lncRNAs. Although lncRNA research is still in the initial stage, it holds great promise to be applied as a prognosticator of HNC and a therapeutic target to inhibit HNC metastasis, which could significantly enhance the outcome of HNC patients.

LncNEN885 inhibits epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by partially regulation of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

“…Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), known as RNAs longer than 200 nt without translated protein products, are vital regulators involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. 5,6 Previous studies have reported that dysregulated expression of lncRNAs is frequently relevant to tumorigenesis and metastasis as well as novel effective biomarkers for prognosis in other carcinomas. For instance, lncTCF7 regulated transcription factor 7 expression and induced activation of Wnt signaling in human liver cancer stem cells.…”

Genome‐wide identification of a competing endogenous RNA network in cholangiocarcinoma

“…In recent studies, increasing evidence demonstrated that lncRNA plays a crucial biological role in the initiation, progression, metastasis, and recurrence of tumor . Moreover, lncRNAs could also serve as the promising biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis in various tumors . Increasing research has showed that dysregulation of lncRNAs were correlated with the carcinogenesis of CCA, as well as decreasing the survival rate of patients .…”

“…[20][21][22][23] Moreover, lncRNAs could also serve as the promising biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis in various tumors. [24][25][26][27] Increasing research has showed that | 18999 dysregulation of lncRNAs were correlated with the carcinogenesis of CCA, as well as decreasing the survival rate of patients. 28,29 Therefore, it is necessary to identify potential lncRNAs acting as promising prognostic biomarkers, which could function as a potential therapeutic target for patients with CCA.…”

Knockdown of long non-coding RNA SOX21-AS1 attenuates amyloid-β-induced neuronal damage by sponging miR-107

“…A substantial amount of evidence indicated that lncRNAs were involved in pluripotency maintenance, euro-ectodermal differentiation, epigenetic imprinted neuron-specific relaxation, brain tissue patterning and synaptogenesis, and mechanisms of epigenetic underlie memory formation [8]. Long non-coding RNA SOX21 antisense RNA1 (SOX21-AS1) is a recently discovered lncRNA, located on chromosome 13q32.1, and transcribed into a transcript of 2986 nucleotides [9]. Recent literature had revealed that SOX21-AS1 could reduce oxidative stress and inhibit neuronal apoptosis in AD mice [10].…”