Non-Coding RNAs as Key Regulators in Lung Cancer

Abstract

For several decades, most lung cancer investigations have focused on the search for mutations in candidate genes; however, in the last decade, due to the fact that most of the human genome is occupied by sequences that do not code for proteins, much attention has been paid to non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that perform regulatory functions. In this review, we principally focused on recent studies of the function, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of ncRNAs including microRNA (miRNA), long ncRNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) in different types of lung cancer.

A Novel ceRNET Relying on the lncRNA JPX, miR-378a-3p, and Its mRNA Targets in Lung Cancer

“…Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with NSCLC accounting for the majority of cases (up to 85%), and LUAD representing the most common NSCLC subtype. The contribution of ncRNAs to the onset and progression of LC is becoming increasingly clear, especially for microRNAs and lncRNAs [5]. In addition, the ceRNET perspective has opened a new scenario, wherein even functionally unrelated transcripts can unexpectedly cross talk with each other by competitively binding to a shared microRNA, and new functions have been assigned to molecules involved in distant and unrelated biological processes [13,14].…”

“…Recently, the role of non-coding RNAs in lung cancer appeared on the scene, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), among the ncRNAs smaller than 200 nucleotides, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), with a size up to several kilobases [5]. It is becoming increasingly clear that they play a key role in lung cancer, by acting as oncogenes, triggering the molecular pathways leading to cancer onset and progression, but also as tumor suppressors, by braking the cancer hallmarks; in addition, they can even have a role in therapeutic responses such as chemoresistance [6][7][8].…”

Exosomal LncRNAs and CircRNAs in lung cancer: Emerging regulators and potential therapeutic targets

“…Mounting evidence underscores the pivotal roles of exosomal lncRNAs and circRNAs in tumor progression, functioning as either oncogenes or suppressors [ 52 , 53 ]. These molecules facilitate key regulatory functions in cell-cell communication within the tumor microenvironment through mechanisms such as fusion, endocytosis, and receptor-mediated specific binding [ 54 ].…”

Evaluating early apoptosis-related cellular MiRNAs with an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence nanoplatform

“…miRNAs have been proved to be important factors in the development of cancer and are involved in various stages of cancer development, 6–8 such as apoptosis, 9 metastasis and invasion, 10 and angiogenesis. 11 The level of miRNA is dysregulated in the development of cancer.…”