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Published on: January 12, 2020
Competing endogenous RNA networks in ovarian cancer: from bench to bedside
Roghaiyeh Derogar1, Fatemeh Nejadi Orang2, Mahdi Abdoli Shadbad3
1Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract:
Epithelial ovarian cancer is responsible for the majority of ovarian malignancies, and its highly invasive nature and chemoresistant development have been major obstacles to treating patients with mainstream treatments. In recent decades, the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) has been highlighted in ovarian cancer development. This hidden language between these RNAs has led to the discovery of enormous regulatory networks in ovarian cancer cells that substantially affect gene expression. Aside from providing ample opportunities for targeted therapies, circRNA- and lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network components provide invaluable biomarkers. The current study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the recent findings on the significance of these ceRNA networks in the hallmarks of ovarian cancer oncogenesis, treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis. Also, it provides the authorship with future perspectives in the era of single-cell RNA sequencing and personalized medicine.
Insights
This review explores competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, including microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in epithelial ovarian cancer. These networks offer new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, characterized by invasiveness and chemoresistance.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in EOC development.
- Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, involving these non-coding RNAs, regulate gene expression in EOC cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of ceRNA networks in epithelial ovarian cancer.
- To highlight the significance of ceRNAs in oncogenesis, treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis.
- To discuss future perspectives, including single-cell RNA sequencing and personalized medicine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent findings on ceRNA networks in ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of the roles of miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs in EOC hallmarks.
- Exploration of ceRNA networks as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- ceRNA networks significantly impact gene expression in ovarian cancer.
- circRNA- and lncRNA-mediated ceRNA networks offer potential as diagnostic biomarkers.
- These networks present opportunities for targeted therapies against ovarian cancer.
Conclusions:
- ceRNA networks are integral to ovarian cancer progression and present therapeutic vulnerabilities.
- Understanding ceRNA networks can lead to improved diagnostic and prognostic tools.
- Future research directions include leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing for personalized ovarian cancer medicine.
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