Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
Circular RNAs in tumor immunity and immunotherapy
Wenjie Zhang1,2, Chen Xu1, Zhipeng Yang1,2
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are unique noncoding RNAs that have a closed and stable loop structure generated through backsplicing. Due to their conservation, stability and tissue specificity, circRNAs can potentially be used as diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets for certain tumors. Many studies have shown that circRNAs can act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, and engage in interactions with proteins and translation templates to regulate gene expression and signal transduction, thereby participating in the occurrence and development of a variety of malignant tumors. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Early researches have indicated that circRNAs are involved in regulating tumor immune microenvironment and antitumor immunity. CircRNAs may have the potential to be important targets for increasing sensitivity to immunotherapy and expanding the population of patients who benefit from cancer immunotherapy. However, few studies have investigated the correlation between circRNAs and tumor immunity. In this review, we summarize the current researches on circRNAs involved in antitumor immune regulation through different mechanisms and their potential value in increasing immunotherapy efficacy with the goal of providing new targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators in cancer development and immunity. This review explores how circRNAs influence antitumor immunity and enhance cancer immunotherapy effectiveness, offering new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs with stable, looped structures.
- circRNAs play roles in gene regulation, acting as miRNA sponges and interacting with proteins.
- They are implicated in the development of various malignant tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on circRNAs in antitumor immune regulation.
- To explore the potential of circRNAs in enhancing cancer immunotherapy efficacy.
- To identify novel targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on circRNAs and tumor immunity.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which circRNAs regulate the tumor immune microenvironment.
- Evaluation of circRNAs' role in modulating antitumor immune responses.
Main Results:
- circRNAs are involved in regulating the tumor immune microenvironment and antitumor immunity.
- circRNAs can potentially increase sensitivity to immunotherapy.
- Few studies have comprehensively investigated the link between circRNAs and tumor immunity.
Conclusions:
- circRNAs represent promising targets for improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of circRNAs in tumor immunity.
- Harnessing circRNAs may expand the patient population benefiting from immunotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
Tumor Immunotherapy
The Tumor Microenvironment
Experimental RNAi
MicroRNAs
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...

