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Long non-coding RNAs in cancer stem cells
Melanie Schwerdtfeger1, Vincenzo Desiderio2, Sebastian Kobold3
1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy; Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich, Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL).
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating cellular processes and are implicated in cancer. This review explores the involvement of lncRNAs in cancer stem cell biology and tumor progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- The human transcriptome contains non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulating cellular functions.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), >200 nucleotides, are involved in physiological and pathological events, including cancer.
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor initiation, progression, and treatment resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on the role of lncRNAs in cancer stem cell (CSC) biology.
- To elucidate the involvement of lncRNAs in CSC maintenance, tumor growth, and cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of studies investigating lncRNA functions in CSCs.
- Synthesis of findings on lncRNAs in cancer progression and recurrence.
Main Results:
- lncRNAs are implicated in CSC maintenance and function.
- lncRNAs influence CSC characteristics like epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and invasion.
- lncRNAs are linked to cancer progression, prognosis, and recurrence.
Conclusions:
- lncRNAs are critical regulators of cancer stem cell biology.
- Targeting lncRNAs may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer.
- Further research is needed to fully understand lncRNA mechanisms in CSCs.
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