Role of non-coding RNAs in radiotherapy sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) is consistently the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Radiotherapy is a crucial means of treating LC, and about 60-70% of LC patients require radiotherapy. However, radiotherapy resistance remains a significant challenge for treatment outcomes. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are widely engaged in multiple processes of tumorigenesis and progression. Extensive studies have shown that ncRNAs play an essential role in drug resistance in tumor therapy, including radiotherapy. Importantly, aberrantly expressed ncRNAs affect the efficacy of radiotherapy, whereas radiation response can result in the dysregulated expression of ncRNAs. Additionally, since the abnormal expression of ncRNAs in LC can respond to radiotherapy, circulating ncRNAs are also measurable in body fluids. Here, we describe the functions and mechanisms of ncRNAs in LC radiotherapy sensitivity and introduce the future directions and applications of ncRNAs in LC radiotherapy research.