Noncoding RNAs in cancer therapy resistance and targeted drug development

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent a large segment of the human transcriptome and have been shown to play important roles in cellular physiology and disease pathogenesis. Increasing evidence on the functional roles of ncRNAs in cancer progression emphasizes the potential of ncRNAs for cancer treatment. Here, we summarize the roles of ncRNAs in disease relapse and resistance to current standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy; the current research progress on ncRNAs for clinical and/or potential translational applications, including the identification of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets; therapeutic approaches for ncRNA targeting; and ncRNA delivery strategies in potential clinical translation. Several ongoing clinical trials of novel RNA-based therapeutics were also emphasized. Finally, we discussed the perspectives and obstacles to different target combinations, delivery strategies, and system designs for ncRNA application. The next approved nucleic acid drug to treat cancer patients may realistically be on the horizon.