Non‑coding RNAs in epithelial‑mesenchymal transition of renal cell carcinoma (Review)

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor originating from the epithelial cells of the renal tubules. RCC has a high propensity for distant metastasis, complicating clinical management due to the paucity of effective post‑metastatic therapeutic strategies and the associated poor prognosis. Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process in which cells switch from epithelial to mesenchymal characteristics. RCC cells undergoing EMT exhibit a higher grade of malignancy with enhanced invasiveness and metastatic capabilities, thereby markedly promoting the tendency for distant metastasis. Non‑coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of functional RNAs that are not translated into proteins. ncRNAs serve key roles in RCC progression and one of the key mechanisms involved is through regulating the EMT process. The present study reviews the research on ncRNAs regulating EMT in RCC and their future clinical applications, highlighting their notable potential as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets to combat metastatic RCC in the future.