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The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Yingli Guo¹, Yajuan Xie², Yao Luo¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.

Frontiers in Immunology

|February 28, 2022

Abstract:

Tumorigenesis is a complicated process caused by successive genetic and epigenetic alterations. The past decades demonstrated that the immune system affects tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. Although increasing immunotherapies are revealed, only a tiny proportion of them are effective. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of single-stranded RNA molecules larger than 200 nucleotides and are essential in the molecular network of oncology and immunology. Increasing researches have focused on the connection between lncRNAs and cancer immunotherapy. However, the in-depth mechanisms are still elusive. In this review, we outline the latest studies on the functions of lncRNAs in the tumor immune microenvironment. Via participating in various biological processes such as neutrophil recruitment, macrophage polarization, NK cells cytotoxicity, and T cells functions, lncRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, tumor invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis. In addition, we reviewed the current understanding of the relevant strategies for targeting lncRNAs. LncRNAs-based therapeutics may represent promising approaches in serving as prognostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets in cancer, providing ideas for future research and clinical application on cancer diagnosis and therapies.

Insights

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the tumor immune microenvironment, influencing cancer progression and immunotherapy effectiveness. Targeting lncRNAs offers promising strategies for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Tumorigenesis involves genetic and epigenetic changes, with the immune system significantly impacting cancer development and spread.
Current cancer immunotherapies show limited efficacy in a majority of patients.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators in cancer and immunology, with emerging roles in immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the latest research on lncRNA functions within the tumor immune microenvironment.
To elucidate the mechanisms by which lncRNAs influence cancer progression and immune responses.
To discuss strategies for targeting lncRNAs in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on lncRNAs and cancer immunotherapy.
Analysis of lncRNA involvement in key biological processes like immune cell function and tumor invasion.
Examination of current therapeutic strategies targeting lncRNAs.

Main Results:

LncRNAs regulate critical processes including neutrophil recruitment, macrophage polarization, NK cell cytotoxicity, and T cell function.
LncRNAs impact tumorigenesis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis.
LncRNAs are implicated in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.

Conclusions:

LncRNAs are vital regulators in the tumor immune microenvironment, affecting various aspects of cancer biology.
Targeting lncRNAs presents a promising avenue for developing novel cancer biomarkers and therapeutics.
Further research into lncRNA mechanisms can advance cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

biomarker cancer immunotherapy long non-coding RNAs targeted therapy tumor immune microenvironment

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