Noncoding RNAs as regulators of STAT3 pathway in gastrointestinal cancers: Roles in cancer progression and therapeutic response

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors are a leading cause of cancer deaths globally.
• Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an oncogenic factor promoting cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and drug resistance.
• STAT3 hyperactivity is prevalent in GI malignancies, accelerating tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elaborate on the tumor-promoting role of STAT3 signaling in GI tumors.
• To comprehensively discuss the functions and mechanisms of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that modulate STAT3 signaling in GI cancers.
• To highlight the dual role of ncRNAs as either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive in the context of STAT3 modulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on STAT3 signaling in GI cancers.
• Analysis of the roles of microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs in regulating STAT3.
• Examination of the mechanisms by which ncRNAs influence STAT3 activity and impact tumor progression.

Main Results:

• STAT3 signaling significantly contributes to the progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of GI tumors.
• Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, are key regulators of the STAT3 pathway in GI cancers.
• ncRNAs exhibit both oncogenic (tumor-promoting) and tumor-suppressive functions by modulating STAT3 activity.

Conclusions:

• STAT3 pathway activation is a critical driver of GI tumor development and progression.
• ncRNAs represent a significant regulatory layer of STAT3 signaling with implications for GI cancer therapy.
• Targeting ncRNA-STAT3 interactions offers potential therapeutic strategies for managing GI cancers.