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Emerging Role of Chimeric RNAs in Cell Plasticity and Adaptive Evolution of Cancer Cells

Sumit Mukherjee1, Henry H Heng2,3, Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern1

  • 1Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel.

Cancers
|September 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Chimeric RNAs, arising from gene fusions in cancer, drive tumor diversity and drug resistance. Understanding their evolutionary role offers new precision medicine strategies for cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gene fusions are somatic alterations in cancer.
  • Fusion genes create chimeric RNAs, influencing cancer cell phenotype, survival, and proliferation.
  • Chimeric RNAs impact apoptosis, plasticity, and oncogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the functional impact of chimeric RNAs in cancer cells.
  • To understand the evolutionary perspective of chimeric RNAs in cancer.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets for precision medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of chimeric RNA expression in cancer cells.
  • Functional studies on the role of chimeric RNAs in cancer progression and drug resistance.
  • Evolutionary analysis of chimeric RNA generation and impact.

Main Results:

  • Chimeric RNAs contribute to phenotypic diversity and oncogenesis.
  • Chimeric RNAs are associated with cancer cell survival and proliferation.
  • Chimeric RNAs confer drug resistance, presenting therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Chimeric RNAs are significant biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.
  • Targeting chimeric RNAs can enhance precision medicine approaches.
  • Understanding chimeric RNAs from an evolutionary viewpoint aids in designing effective cancer therapies.
Keywords:
cancer evolutioncellular plasticitychimeric RNAsgenomic instability

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