RNA Regulatory Networks: Key Hubs in the Panorama of Cancer and Emerging Therapeutic Targets

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Cancer initiation and progression are linked to dysregulated RNA regulatory networks.
• Various RNA types (mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA) modulate gene expression through multiple mechanisms.
• These networks are crucial for understanding cancer biology and developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review how contending RNAs reshape gene expression programs in cancer.
• To explore the emerging roles of RNA networks in tumor metabolism, immune microenvironment, and cancer stem cell maintenance.
• To assess the clinical application prospects of RNA networks as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of current literature on RNA regulatory networks in cancer.
• Analysis of RNA-mediated gene expression modulation mechanisms (e.g., competing endogenous RNA effect, RNA editing).
• Integration of findings on RNA networks' roles in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.

Main Results:

• RNA regulatory networks influence tumorigenesis, evolution, and resistance to therapy.
• RNA networks are implicated in tumor metabolic reprogramming, immune microenvironment modulation, and cancer stem cell maintenance.
• RNA networks show promise as biomarkers for liquid biopsies and targets for novel therapies.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic RNA regulatory networks are central to cancer biology and represent promising targets for precision medicine.
• RNA-targeted interventions (e.g., antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR-Cas13) show therapeutic potential, though many are in preclinical stages.
• Further research is needed to overcome clinical translation bottlenecks for RNA-targeted therapies.