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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
The Emerging Value of Circular Noncoding RNA Research in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Urmila Jagtap1,2, Erik S Anderson2,3, Frank J Slack1,2
1Department of Pathology, Center of Life Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNA) are a recently described class of RNA molecules that have attracted substantial attention as new components of disease mechanisms and as potential biomarkers in multiple diseases, including cancer. CircRNAs are often highly conserved and exhibit developmental stage- and disease-specific expression. Several studies have reported circRNA expression patterns that are associated with specific cancer types and with patient prognosis. Here, we overview the active registered clinical trials that investigate the value of circRNAs as cancer biomarkers and discuss the potential of circRNAs in clinical cancer care. Taken together, circRNAs are actively being investigated as diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers, and their potential to serve as therapeutic intervention points motivates ongoing translational and clinical research.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) show promise as cancer biomarkers. Clinical trials are exploring their use for diagnosis, prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets in cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of RNA molecules implicated in various disease mechanisms.
- CircRNAs display conserved structures and specific expression patterns related to developmental stages and diseases, particularly cancer.
- Emerging evidence links circRNA expression profiles to specific cancer types and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ongoing clinical trials investigating circular RNAs as cancer biomarkers.
- To discuss the clinical potential of circRNAs in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
- To highlight the translational and clinical research momentum for circRNAs in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of registered clinical trials focused on circRNAs in cancer.
- Analysis of published studies on circRNA expression patterns in different cancer types.
- Discussion of the clinical utility and therapeutic potential of circRNAs.
Main Results:
- Numerous clinical trials are actively evaluating the diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic value of circRNAs in cancer patients.
- CircRNA expression is demonstrably associated with specific cancer types and patient prognosis.
- CircRNAs are being explored for their potential as novel therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Circular RNAs represent a significant area of research in oncology, with active clinical investigation.
- CircRNAs hold considerable potential for improving cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutic strategies.
- Ongoing research underscores the translational value of circRNAs in clinical cancer care and management.
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