Long non-coding RNAs as novel biomarkers for breast cancer invasion and metastasis

Breast cancer (BC) is now the most common malignancy worldwide, with high prevalence and lethality among women. Invasion and metastasis are the major reasons for breast cancer-associated mortality. However, the underlying mechanism of invasion and metastasis has not been entirely elucidated. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a large class of non-coding transcripts that are >200 bases in length and cannot encode proteins. Evidence has indicated that lncRNAs regulate gene expression at the levels of epigenetic modification, transcription and post-transcription. In addition, they are involved in diverse tumor biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. The present review focuses on the recent progress of lncRNAs in breast cancer invasion and metastasis, aiming to provide novel strategies for the clinical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.