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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA
Published on: April 10, 2018
Getting the GIST of long non-coding RNA
Giulia Zerbo1, Daniela Gasparotto1
1Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, via Gallini 2, Aviano, Italy.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal malignancies of the digestive tract. About 85 % of them have gain-of-function mutations in KIT or PDGFRA, resulting in constitutive activation of these receptor tyrosine kinases, which are drivers of GIST development. While localized GIST can be cured by surgery alone, imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the treatment of choice for advanced/metastatic disease. However, more than half of patients develop secondary resistance. Recent advances in the study of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) have shed light on their role in the biology of GIST, revealing a complex level of gene expression regulation that contributes to pathogenesis, malignant progression, and therapeutic response to imatinib. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding lncRNAs in GIST. An understanding of the roles of lncRNAs provides valuable insights into tumor behaviour and resistance mechanisms. The functions of the various lncRNAs are described as they can act as oncogenes or as tumor suppressor genes. The potential of lncRNAs in the clinical setting as prognostic and predictive indicators is also reviewed. The challenges in lncRNA research are discussed as well as the prospects of incorporating lncRNAs as target for GIST treatment, highlighting the importance of ongoing research to achieve its full potential to improve patient care.
Insights
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), influencing their development and resistance to imatinib therapy. Understanding lncRNAs offers new therapeutic targets for GIST treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract, often driven by KIT or PDGFRA mutations.
- Imatinib is the standard treatment for advanced GIST, but secondary resistance develops in over half of patients.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of gene expression in GIST, impacting disease progression and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on lncRNAs in GIST.
- To elucidate the roles of lncRNAs in GIST pathogenesis, progression, and imatinib resistance.
- To explore the clinical potential of lncRNAs as prognostic/predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on lncRNAs in GIST.
- Analysis of lncRNA functions as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in GIST.
- Evaluation of lncRNAs' role in imatinib resistance mechanisms.
Main Results:
- lncRNAs are involved in complex gene expression regulation in GIST.
- Specific lncRNAs can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, influencing GIST behavior.
- lncRNAs are implicated in the development of secondary resistance to imatinib.
Conclusions:
- lncRNAs offer valuable insights into GIST biology and resistance mechanisms.
- lncRNAs hold potential as prognostic and predictive indicators in GIST patients.
- Targeting lncRNAs presents a promising avenue for novel GIST therapeutic strategies.
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