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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
Role of circRNAs in regulating cell death in cancer: a comprehensive review
Mohamed J Saadh1, Hadi Mohammed Ehymayed2, Tuqa S Alazzawi3
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman, 11831, Jordan.
Abstract:
Despite multiple diagnostic and therapeutic advances, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, cancer preserved its spot as a global health concern. Prompt cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis depend on the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are considered as a stable, conserved, abundant, and varied group of RNA molecules that perform multiple roles such as gene regulation. There is evidence that circRNAs interact with RNA-binding proteins, especially capturing miRNAs. An extensive amount of research has presented the substantial contribution of circRNAs in various types of cancer. To fully understand the linkage between circRNAs and cancer growth as a consequence of various cell death processes, including autophagy, ferroptosis, and apoptosis, more research is necessary. The expression of circRNAs could be controlled to limit the occurrence and growth of cancer, providing a more encouraging method of cancer treatment. Consequently, it is critical to understand how circRNAs affect various forms of cancer cell death and evaluate whether circRNAs could be used as targets to induce tumor death and increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. The current study aims to review and comprehend the effects that circular RNAs exert on cell apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis in cancer to investigate potential cancer treatment targets.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) show promise as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review explores how circRNAs influence cancer cell death processes like apoptosis, aiding in developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cancer remains a significant global health challenge despite advances in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable RNA molecules involved in gene regulation, including microRNA (miRNA) binding.
- Emerging research highlights the significant role of circRNAs in various cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and understand the impact of circRNAs on cancer cell death pathways.
- To investigate the potential of circRNAs as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
- To explore the relationship between circRNAs and apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on circRNAs and cancer.
- Analysis of studies investigating circRNA involvement in apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis.
- Evaluation of circRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oncology.
Main Results:
- CircRNAs play a substantial role in the development and progression of various cancers.
- Dysregulation of circRNAs is linked to altered cancer cell death mechanisms.
- circRNAs have the potential to be targeted for cancer therapy to induce tumor cell death.
Conclusions:
- Understanding circRNA functions in cancer cell death is crucial for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Targeting circRNAs may offer a promising approach to enhance chemotherapy efficacy and combat cancer.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of circRNAs in cancer treatment.
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