Molecular mechanisms of thyroid cancer: A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) point of view

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, with complex carcinogenesis and limited treatment options.
• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in TC progression.
• The intricate regulatory interactions among multiple ncRNAs in TC remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in thyroid cancer.
• To highlight the essential roles of ceRNA networks in various hallmarks of TC.
• To discuss the potential of ceRNA deregulation for early diagnosis and novel therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating ncRNAs and ceRNA networks in thyroid cancer.
• Analysis of proposed mechanisms of ceRNA interactions, including shared microRNA response elements.
• Examination of the involvement of long noncoding RNAs, pseudogenes, and circular RNAs in ceRNA networks.

Main Results:

• Numerous ceRNA networks are deregulated in thyroid cancer development, metastasis, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and drug resistance.
• ceRNA mechanisms involving lncRNAs, pseudogenes, and circRNAs can modulate gene expression by influencing miRNA interactions.
• Dysregulated ceRNA networks are implicated in critical aspects of TC progression.

Conclusions:

• ceRNA networks play a significant role in the complex biological processes of thyroid cancer.
• Further investigation into ceRNA deregulation can lead to improved diagnostic markers for TC.
• Targeting ceRNA networks presents a promising avenue for developing effective therapies for thyroid cancer.