Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
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In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions

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Circular RNAs in Cancer: Biogenesis, Function, and Clinical Significance

Jiao Li1, Dan Sun1, Wenchen Pu1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China.

Trends in Cancer
|March 27, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are unique RNA molecules involved in cancer. This review covers their roles in cancer development and potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules formed by back-splicing.
  • Unlike linear RNAs, circRNAs are resistant to degradation, leading to stable expression.
  • circRNAs play roles in gene regulation, including acting as miRNA sponges and protein decoys.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biogenesis and turnover of circRNAs.
  • To summarize the involvement of circRNAs in cancer.
  • To discuss the potential of circRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on circRNA biogenesis, function, and cancer relevance.
  • Analysis of circRNA expression patterns in various cancers.
  • Evaluation of current research on circRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • circRNAs exhibit tissue-specific and developmental expression patterns.
  • Aberrant circRNA expression is common in cancer, influencing oncogenesis and tumor suppression.
  • circRNAs have demonstrated potential as biomarkers for early cancer detection and prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • circRNAs are critical regulators in cancer development and progression.
  • circRNAs hold significant promise as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oncology.
  • Further research into circRNA biology will unlock their full clinical potential.
Keywords:
biomarkercancercircular RNA

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