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Updated: Oct 10, 2025

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

Published on: October 21, 2022

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The emerging roles of circRNAs in cancer and oncology

Lasse S Kristensen1, Theresa Jakobsen2, Henrik Hager3,4

  • 1Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark. lasse@biomed.au.dk.

Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology
|December 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key players in cancer development. These non-coding RNAs show promise as cancer biomarkers detectable in liquid biopsies, but research is ongoing.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a significant class of non-coding RNA molecules.
  • Many circRNAs play crucial roles in cancer development and progression via various mechanisms.
  • CircRNAs exhibit tissue-restricted and cancer-specific expression, indicating clinical relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on circRNA biogenesis, regulation, and functions in cancer.
  • To explore the clinical potential of circRNAs as biomarkers, therapeutic agents, and drug targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of circRNA research in cancer.
  • Analysis of circRNA expression patterns and functions.
  • Evaluation of circRNAs for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive applications.

Main Results:

  • CircRNAs are implicated in diverse cancer mechanisms.
  • CircRNAs are detectable in liquid biopsy samples (plasma, saliva, urine), enhancing their biomarker potential.
  • Significant technical and knowledge gaps remain for clinical translation.

Conclusions:

  • CircRNAs hold substantial promise as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
  • Further research is needed to overcome technical challenges and knowledge gaps.
  • Advancing circRNA research can facilitate clinical applications in oncology.

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