Female and male hormonal-dependent malignancies: the role of long non-coding RNAs

Since their discovery, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of diverse biological processes across various tissues. Their dysregulation has been strongly linked to cancer progression. LncRNAs influence key aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance, acting either as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. In hormone-dependent malignancies such as breast and prostate cancers, lncRNAs play pivotal roles by modulating hormone signaling pathways and regulating the expression and activity of hormone receptors, including estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and androgen receptors (AR). Despite increasing evidence of their involvement, many of these lncRNAs remain poorly characterized, and their potential as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets is still under investigation.This review aims to critically synthesize recent advances in the understanding of lncRNAs in hormone-dependent cancers, with a focus on their oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles, involvement in drug resistance, and clinical relevance. By highlighting both established findings and areas requiring further research, we seek to provide a comprehensive and insightful overview that can inform future therapeutic strategies and translational applications.