Long non-coding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma: mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with its pathogenesis involving complex biological processes such as DNA damage, epigenetic modification and oncogene mutation. Over the past two decades, the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the occurrence, metastasis and progression of HCC has received increasing attention. As an important noncoding RNA molecule, lncRNAs play a key role in regulating gene expression, affecting RNA transcription and mRNA stability. This review elucidates the potential pathogenic processes of HCC and elaborates on the synthesis mechanisms of the above three non-coding RNAs. It comprehensively summarizes various non-coding RNAs that have been identified as playing key regulatory roles in HCC, as well as how these non-coding RNAs affect disease progression by regulating gene expression and protein functions. For example: lncRNAs such as NEAT1, DSCR8, PNUTS, HULC, and HOTAIR can play different roles in the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HCC cells in different ways. lncRNAs such as HClnc1, LINC01343, FAM111A-DT, CERS6-AS1, and TLNC1 significantly affect the progression of HCC by regulating key signaling axes or protein functions, and are closely related to the prognosis of patients. In addition, we also discuss the potential of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets for HCC, such as: lncRNA MIR31HG, CASC2c, and lncRNA AC115619. Furthermore, we also explore the application prospects of lncRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, providing new perspectives and directions for future HCC research.