Long non-coding RNAs as modulators of endocrine therapy response in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer is the most common type, leading to significant mortality.
• Endocrine therapies are standard treatments, but resistance often develops, causing relapses.
• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in cancer, but their clinical role in endocrine resistance is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the role of lncRNAs in overcoming endocrine resistance in HR+ breast cancer.
• To map mechanisms of endocrine therapy resistance and adaptive escape pathways in HR+ tumor cells.
• To identify novel therapeutic targets and lncRNA-based strategies for HR+ breast cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on lncRNAs, endocrine therapy, and HR+ breast cancer.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which lncRNAs influence estrogen receptor (ER) function, survival pathways, epigenetics, and the tumor microenvironment.
• Identification of therapeutic targets and lncRNA-based approaches for HR+ breast cancer, including bone metastasis.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs significantly impact sensitivity and resistance to endocrine therapy in HR+ breast cancer.
• lncRNAs modulate ER function, alternative survival pathways, tumor epigenetics, and the tumor microenvironment.
• lncRNA-based therapeutics show promise for overcoming endocrine resistance and treating metastatic HR+ breast cancer.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs represent a promising therapeutic avenue for overcoming endocrine resistance in HR+ breast cancer.
• Targeting lncRNAs can provide novel strategies to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
• Further research into lncRNA-based therapeutics is warranted for clinical application in HR+ breast cancer.