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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
08:25

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing

Published on: November 14, 2019

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Circular RNAs in cancer: opportunities and challenges in the field

L S Kristensen1,2, T B Hansen1,2, M T Venø1,2

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

Oncogene
|October 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel noncoding molecules in cancer with growing research interest. Their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in personalized medicine is significant.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a novel class of noncoding RNA molecules within the cancer genome.
  • While their presence in cancer is increasingly documented, the functional roles of most circRNAs remain largely unelucidated.
  • circRNAs exhibit remarkable stability and can act as microRNA sponges, influencing gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of circRNAs in tumorigenesis.
  • To explore the potential of circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
  • To discuss circRNAs as therapeutic targets for personalized medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on circRNAs in cancer.
  • Analysis of circRNA properties, including stability, conservation, and expression patterns.
  • Evaluation of circRNA functions in gene regulation and their link to tumorigenesis.

Main Results:

  • circRNAs are stable, conserved, and often tissue-specific noncoding molecules implicated in cancer.
  • Some circRNAs function as microRNA sponges, impacting gene expression relevant to cancer.
  • circRNAs show promise as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • circRNAs hold significant potential for applications in personalized cancer medicine, serving as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand circRNA functions and overcome challenges in clinical translation.
  • Addressing current research caveats is crucial for advancing circRNA-based clinical strategies.

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