The functional role of long noncoding RNA in resistance to anticancer treatment

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, yet drug resistance frequently leads to therapeutic failure.
• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer biology, including the development of chemoresistance.
• Dysregulated lncRNA expression is common in various human cancers, impacting treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the newly identified roles of lncRNAs in oncobiology related to drug resistance.
• To elucidate the diverse mechanisms by which lncRNAs mediate chemoresistance in cancer cells.
• To summarize emerging strategies for overcoming lncRNA-mediated drug resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on lncRNAs and cancer chemoresistance.
• Analysis of lncRNA functions in key cellular processes affected by chemotherapy.
• Identification of specific lncRNA-driven resistance mechanisms against various antineoplastic agents.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs play critical roles in regulating chemoresistance through mechanisms such as drug efflux, DNA damage repair, cell cycle control, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), signaling pathways, and angiogenesis.
• lncRNA-mediated resistance mechanisms are diverse and often drug-specific.
• Multiple factors can contribute to a single resistance mechanism.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs are pivotal regulators of cancer drug resistance, presenting both challenges and therapeutic opportunities.
• Targeting lncRNAs offers a promising avenue for developing novel strategies to combat chemoresistance and improve cancer treatment efficacy.
• Further research is needed to address technical challenges in studying and targeting lncRNAs for clinical application.