Non-coding RNA as future target for diagnose and treatment of perineural invasion in cancers

Abstract

Perineural invasion (PNI), a particularly insidious form of tumor metastasis distinct from hematogenous or lymphatic spread, has the capacity to extend well beyond the primary tumor site, infiltrating distant regions devoid of lymphatic or vascular structures. PNI often heralds a decrease in patient survival rates and is recognized as an indicator of an unfavorable prognosis across a variety of cancers. Despite its clinical significance, the underlying molecular mechanisms of PNI remain elusive, complicating the development of specific and efficacious diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In the realm of cancer research, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their multifaceted roles and cancer-specific expression profiles, positioning them as promising candidates for applications in cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and treatment. Among the various types of ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as influential players in PNI. Their involvement is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Our study synthesizes and explores the diverse functions and mechanisms of ncRNAs in relation to PNI in cancer. This comprehensive review aims to shed light on cutting-edge perspectives that could pave the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to address the challenges posed by PNI in oncology.