Radio-Susceptibility of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Focus on Epstein- Barr Virus, MicroRNAs, Long Non-Coding RNAs and Circular RNAs

Abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title /> <jats:p>Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of head and neck cancer. As a neoplastic disorder, NPC is a highly malignant squamous cell carcinoma that is derived from the nasopharyngeal epithelium. NPC is radiosensitive; radiotherapy or radiotherapy combining with chemotherapy are the main treatment strategies. However, both modalities are usually accompanied by complications and acquired resistance to radiotherapy is a significant impediment to effective NPC therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover effective radio-sensitization and radio-resistance biomarkers for NPC. Recent studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded products, microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which share several common signaling pathways, can function in radio-related NPC cells or tissues. Understanding these interconnected regulatory networks will reveal the details of NPC radiation sensitivity and resistance. In this review, we discuss and summarize the specific molecular mechanisms of NPC radio-sensitization and radio-resistance, focusing on EBV-encoded products, miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs. This will provide a foundation for the discovery of more accurate, effective and specific markers related to NPC radiotherapy. EBVencoded products, miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs have emerged as crucial molecules mediating the radio-susceptibility of NPC. This understanding will improve the clinical application of markers and inform the development of novel therapeutics for NPC.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

microRNA-18a from M2 Macrophages Inhibits TGFBR3 to Promote Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression and Tumor Growth via TGF-β Signaling Pathway

“…NPC patients often complain sixth nerve palsy and Horner's syndrome [2]. At present, the applied treatment predominantly consists of radiotherapy, and integrated radiotherapy and chemotherapy [3]. Unfortunately, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are unexpectedly accompanied by complications, and acquired resistance to radiotherapy hampers the outcomes of NPC [3].…”

“…At present, the applied treatment predominantly consists of radiotherapy, and integrated radiotherapy and chemotherapy [3]. Unfortunately, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are unexpectedly accompanied by complications, and acquired resistance to radiotherapy hampers the outcomes of NPC [3]. Given that the task to delve out potential targeted therapy ranks a priority.…”

Involvement of Non-Coding RNAs in Chemo- and Radioresistance of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…8,9 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded products, microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified in existing research as having common signalling pathways that perform many functions in NPC. 10 Non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, have powerful biological functions in cancer. The involvement of ncRNAs in the regulation of tumour proliferation, migration and invasion has been demonstrated in many studies [11][12][13] and is related to chemotherapy resistance and radiation resistance.…”

Diagnostic value of exosomal circMYC in radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…circRNAs are a class of noncoding RNA molecules that do not have a 5 0 end cap and a 3 0 end poly (A) tail and form a circular structure with covalent bonds. 12 circRNAs are stably expressed in eukaryotic cells and their expression level is specific to cells and developmental stages. Studies have shown that circRNAs are related to the occurrence and development of various human diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, neurological degeneration, and tumors.…”

“…However, the relationship between circRNA in serum exosomes and prognosis of patients with NPC is less studied. circRNAs are a class of noncoding RNA molecules that do not have a 5′ end cap and a 3′ end poly (A) tail and form a circular structure with covalent bonds 12 . circRNAs are stably expressed in eukaryotic cells and their expression level is specific to cells and developmental stages.…”