Non-coding RNAs: Regulators of glioma cell epithelial-mesenchymal transformation

GBM (glioblastoma multiforme) is the most malignant form of glioma and is the most commonly occurring primary malignant brain tumour. GBM is difficult to completely excise, resulting in an extremely high recurrence rate. The occurrence of an aggressive glioma phenotype depends on EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transformation), in which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells by losing their cell-cell adhesion and polarity. NcRNAs (non-coding RNAs) play a significant role in the cellular progression from a normal phenotype to a cancerous phenotype. Recently, many studies have shown that there are two essential regulatory ncRNAs, miRNAs (microRNAs) and lncRNAs, which are closely related to EMT. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the dysregulated lncRNAs and miRNAs in gliomas with particular attention to the function and regulatory mechanisms of several important lncRNAs and miRNAs, and we discussed their roles as glioma diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and their potential clinical applications as therapeutic targets.