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Long Non-Coding RNAs: Key Regulators of Tumor Epithelial/Mesenchymal Plasticity and Cancer Stemness
Yuan Yuan1, Yun Tang1, Zeng Fang1
1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China.
Cells
|February 12, 2025
Summary
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression and are crucial in cancer progression. These molecules control epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness, offering potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), initially dismissed as transcriptional noise, are now recognized for their regulatory roles in gene expression.
- lncRNAs influence epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional processes, impacting various biological functions and disease development, including cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs in regulating tumor epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and cancer stemness.
- To discuss the potential of lncRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on lncRNAs and their involvement in cancer.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate tumor cell EMP and cancer stem cell properties.
Main Results:
- lncRNAs are key regulators of tumor epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and cancer stemness.
- lncRNAs influence tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance by modulating cancer stem cells (CSCs).
Conclusions:
- lncRNAs play critical roles in cancer progression through the regulation of EMP and CSCs.
- lncRNAs hold significant promise as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as potential therapeutic targets.
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