CircRNA Profiles Analysis of Neuroblastoma for Identification of Drug Targets

Neuroblastoma is a prevalent pediatric tumor with a low 5-year survival rate among high-risk patients, and the prognosis remains poor despite available therapeutic interventions. Therefore, identifying novel and effective therapeutic targets is critical for improving outcomes in these patients. In this study, we performed an integrative analysis of two neuroblastoma circRNA sequencing datasets to identify potential drug targets. By comparing circRNA expression levels between neuroblastoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues, we identified differentially expressed circRNAs and subsequently predicted 30 hub circRNAs through Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. To elucidate the functional roles of these circRNAs, we investigated their interactions with RNA-binding proteins. The results suggest that hsa_circ_0051680 and hsa_circ_0006107 may influence neuroblastoma progression through interactions with FUS and IGF2BP1, respectively. Furthermore, we analyzed the translational potential of the hub circRNAs, revealing that six circRNAs encode proteins with complex secondary structures. Molecular docking analysis identified five high-affinity complexes between circRNA-encoded proteins (hsa_circ_0000786, hsa_circ_0005087, hsa_circ_0006867) and their corresponding ligands. These circRNA-derived proteins present promising novel drug targets for both the diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma.