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Updated: Nov 18, 2025

In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
10:27

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

Published on: October 21, 2022

1.8K

Role of circular RNAs in colorectal tumor microenvironment

Jasni Viralippurath Ashraf1, Varun Sasidharan Nair2, Reem Saleh2

  • 1College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|February 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play dual roles in colorectal cancer (CRC), acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Understanding circRNAs in the CRC tumor microenvironment is key for developing novel cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules, once thought to be splicing byproducts.
  • Aberrant circRNA expression is linked to various diseases, including cancer.
  • In colorectal cancer (CRC), circRNAs exhibit both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment that promote CRC immunosuppression and tumorigenesis.
  • To outline the biogenesis, characteristics, and functions of circRNAs in the CRC tumor microenvironment.
  • To discuss future strategies for leveraging circRNAs in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of circRNA research in colorectal cancer.
  • Analysis of circRNA roles in tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Exploration of circRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools.

Main Results:

  • Identified oncogenic circRNAs that downregulate tumor suppressors, promoting CRC progression.
  • Identified tumor-suppressive circRNAs that inhibit oncogenes, hindering CRC growth.
  • Highlighted the potential of circRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CRC.

Conclusions:

  • CircRNAs are critical regulators within the CRC tumor microenvironment, influencing disease progression.
  • CircRNAs offer promising avenues for developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer.
  • Further research into circRNA functions and therapeutic applications is warranted for effective cancer treatment.
Keywords:
CircRNAColorectal cancerSplicingTumor microenvironmentmiRNA sponging

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