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Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
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Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

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Role of noncoding RNAs and untranslated regions in cancer: A review

Yiping Zhang1,2, Meiwen Yang3, Shulong Yang4,5

  • 1Experimental Centre of Pathogen Biology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.

Medicine
|August 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play crucial roles in cancer, acting as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Understanding their complex interactions, including the ceRNA network, is vital for cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise the majority of human transcripts but lack protein-coding potential.
  • Emerging evidence highlights ncRNAs' critical roles in cancer, functioning as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes.
  • Dysregulation of ncRNAs contributes significantly to cancer initiation and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse roles of various ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in cancer.
  • To elucidate the impact of ncRNAs on key cancer hallmarks such as growth, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis.
  • To discuss the potential of ncRNAs as biomarkers for early cancer detection and as therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating ncRNA functions in various cancer types.
  • Analysis of ncRNA involvement in critical signaling pathways like p53 and IL-6.
  • Examination of the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and its role in miRNA regulation.

Main Results:

  • Specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-34 family, let-7) and lncRNAs (e.g., HOTAIR, MALAT1, H19) are implicated as tumor suppressors or oncogenes.
  • ncRNAs influence cancer progression by affecting growth, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis.
  • The ncRNA network, including ceRNA interactions, forms a complex regulatory system where disruptions can drive cancer development.

Conclusions:

  • ncRNAs are integral players in cancer biology, influencing multiple oncogenic processes.
  • The intricate ncRNA network, particularly ceRNA interactions, offers promising avenues for cancer biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention.
  • Maintaining the balance and stability of the ncRNA network is crucial for effective cancer management.

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