Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment: Biological Properties and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy (CIT) is considered a revolutionary advance in the fight against cancer. The complexity of the immune microenvironment determines the success or failure of CIT. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an extremely versatile molecule that can interact with RNA, DNA, or proteins to promote or inhibit the expression of protein-coding genes. LncRNAs are expressed in many different types of immune cells and regulate both innate and adaptive immunity. Recent studies have shown that the discovery of lncRNAs provides a novel perspective for studying the regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Tumor cells and the associated microenvironment can change to escape recognition and elimination by the immune system. LncRNA induces the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment through related pathways, thereby controlling the escape of tumors from immune surveillance and promoting the development of metastasis and drug resistance. Using lncRNA as a therapeutic target provides a strategy for studying and improving the efficacy of immunotherapy.

RNA-mediated immunotherapy regulating tumor immune microenvironment: next wave of cancer therapeutics

“…Another example includes GAS5, which regulates the killing effect of NK cells and requires NK-dependent antitumor function [ 132 ]. At the TME level, lncRNAs are involved in controlling interaction between immune cells and tumor cells and induce the immunosuppressive microenvironment [ 133 ]. For instance, the upregulation of lnc-TIM3 in tumor-infiltrating CD8 + T cells prevents IFN-γ and IL-2 production and leads to T cell exhaustion in the TME [ 134 ].…”

“…Additionally, studies have shown that lnc-DC plays an important role in DC differentiation and stimulates T cell activation during tumor immune response [ 137 ]. These reports are restricted to preclinical and clinical applications of lncRNA-mediated cancer immunotherapy [ 133 ]. LncRNAs that regulate the pivotal molecules and pathways during cancer progression are targeted in anticancer therapies, such as therapeutic vaccines, T cell-based treatments, and ICB.…”

Editorial: Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Immune Responses

“…Moreover, in this Research Topic, increasing evidence indicates the role of non-coding RNA, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in the immunomodulation of the TME ( 43 ). Hu et al.…”

Comprehensive Analysis of Pyroptosis-Related Long Noncoding RNA Immune Infiltration and Prediction of Prognosis in Patients with Colon Cancer

“…T-UCRs, CCAT1, and many other lncRNAs have also been found to be linked to the development of CC [ 25 – 27 ]. In addition, lncRNAs are related to immune cells and the tumour immune microenvironment [ 28 , 29 ]. Tumour immunity is thought to have a significant influence on tumour development [ 30 ].…”