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Noncoding RNAs in pediatric brain tumors: Molecular functions and pathological implications.
Shaohuai Chen1, Xiangyang Deng1, Hansong Sheng1
1Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Molecular Therapy. Nucleic Acids
|September 23, 2021
Summary
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial in pediatric brain tumor development. Targeting these molecules offers a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes for children with brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pediatric brain tumors are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children.
- Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), encompassing microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer.
- Understanding the specific functions of ncRNAs in various pediatric brain tumor types is essential for developing novel therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functions and molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs in pediatric brain tumors.
- To discuss the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets.
- To highlight the challenges associated with ncRNA-based therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ncRNAs in pediatric brain tumors.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying ncRNA involvement in oncogenesis.
- Evaluation of current therapeutic strategies and limitations.
Main Results:
- ncRNAs play significant roles in the development and progression of diverse pediatric brain tumors, including medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, glioblastoma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, and craniopharyngioma.
- Aberrant expression of specific ncRNAs is linked to tumorigenesis.
- Challenges such as target nonspecificity and delivery methods limit current ncRNA-based therapeutic applications.
Conclusions:
- ncRNAs are critical regulators in pediatric brain oncogenesis.
- Targeting aberrantly expressed ncRNAs presents a potential therapeutic avenue to improve outcomes for pediatric brain tumor patients.
- Further research is needed to overcome the limitations of ncRNA-specific therapies.
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