Long noncoding RNAs as master regulators of autophagy in cancer: Implications for chemoresistance and therapeutic...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cellular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators of cellular processes.
• Autophagy is a fundamental cellular mechanism involved in homeostasis, cancer progression, and therapeutic resistance.
• The interplay between lncRNAs and autophagy is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in cancer biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of how lncRNAs regulate autophagy in cancer.
• To highlight the dual role of lncRNA-modulated autophagy in promoting or suppressing tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.
• To discuss the translational potential of targeting the lncRNA-autophagy axis for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on lncRNAs, autophagy, and cancer.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate autophagy (e.g., ceRNA activity, direct interactions, pathway modulation).
• Synthesis of evidence regarding the context-dependent effects of autophagy in cancer treatment.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs control autophagy through various mechanisms, including competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and direct interactions with autophagy proteins.
• lncRNA-mediated autophagy influences cancer cell survival, proliferation, and response to diverse therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy).
• The role of autophagy is context-dependent, either promoting or suppressing tumor progression and resistance.

Conclusions:

• Targeting the lncRNA-autophagy axis presents a promising therapeutic strategy, involving inhibition of pro-autophagic lncRNAs or restoration of anti-autophagic lncRNAs.
• Advances in RNA therapeutics, autophagy modulators, and immunotherapy offer new avenues for clinical translation.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complexities of the lncRNA-autophagy axis and its clinical applications in cancer.