Long noncoding RNA expression profiling in cancer: Challenges and opportunities
Lucía Lorenzi1,2, Francisco Avila Cobos1,2, Anneleen Decock1,2
1Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
In recent years, technological advances in transcriptome profiling revealed that the repertoire of human RNA molecules is more diverse and extended than originally thought. This diversity and complexity mainly derive from a large ensemble of noncoding RNAs. Because of their key roles in cellular processes important for normal development and physiology, disruption of noncoding RNA expression is intrinsically linked to human disease, including cancer. Therefore, studying the noncoding portion of the transcriptome offers the prospect of identifying novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets. Although evidence of the relevance of noncoding RNAs in cancer is accumulating, we still face many challenges when it comes to accurately profiling their expression levels. Some of these challenges are inherent to the technologies employed, whereas others are associated with characteristics of the noncoding RNAs themselves. In this review, we discuss the challenges related to long noncoding RNA expression profiling, highlight how cancer long noncoding RNAs provide new opportunities for cancer diagnosis and treatment, and reflect on future developments.
Insights
Noncoding RNAs, crucial for cell function, are linked to cancer development. Accurately profiling their expression is challenging but vital for discovering new cancer diagnostics and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Recent advances reveal a vast noncoding RNA repertoire in the human transcriptome.
- Noncoding RNAs play critical roles in cellular processes and are implicated in human diseases, notably cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review challenges in accurately profiling long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression.
- To highlight the potential of cancer lncRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
- To discuss future directions in lncRNA research for cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on noncoding RNA expression profiling technologies.
- Analysis of the inherent challenges in lncRNA quantification.
- Synthesis of evidence linking lncRNA dysregulation to cancer.
Main Results:
- Expression profiling of noncoding RNAs faces technological and biological hurdles.
- Cancer-associated lncRNAs present significant opportunities for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- Despite challenges, lncRNAs are increasingly recognized for their role in oncogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming profiling challenges is key to unlocking the full potential of noncoding RNAs in oncology.
- Targeting lncRNAs offers a promising avenue for advancing cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Continued research into lncRNA expression and function is essential for future breakthroughs.
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