Long non-coding RNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gliomas

Gliomas are the most malignant and common primary brain tumors, accounting for 50-60%. Despite all surgical efforts in combination with intense chemoradiotherapy, gliomas still have a dismal prognosis. The early screening and identification of patients with gliomas could improve their prognosis by allowing proactive medical treatment. Traditionally, gliomas of varying subtypes and grades are diagnosed based on histopathological features, but this can be challenging, particularly in cases that lack the typical features. Molecular expression profiles using microarray analyses have provided additional information to help distinguish between glioma subtypes, which correlate well with histological profiles. Various molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gliomas are currently available, including genes and miRNAs, but all remain in preclinical studies. Certain specific lncRNAs involved in gliomas have been identified in surgical brain biopsies, which may be involved in brain development and the pathogenesis of gliomas; these can also be detected in peripheral blood. Therefore, we postulate that these specific lncRNAs may be both potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gliomas.