Roles and potential applications of non-coding RNAs in cancer treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and

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Published on: May 30, 2025

Yayu Chen1,2,3, Zhishuang Ye1,2, Yanping Wang1,2

  • 1Department of Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong, China.

Cancer Drug Resistance (Alhambra, Calif.)
|May 18, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial regulators of the cancer-immune dialogue, impacting immunotherapy effectiveness. This review explores how ncRNAs influence immune checkpoints and novel cancer therapies, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in regulating cancer development and immune responses.
  • The advent of immunotherapies necessitates a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing cancer-immune crosstalk.
  • ncRNAs, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, play a significant role in this intricate interplay.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which ncRNAs modulate key immune checkpoint pathways, specifically PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4.
  • To discuss the involvement of ncRNA networks in various modern cancer immunotherapies.
  • To explore the potential of ncRNAs as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets in immuno-oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on ncRNAs in cancer immunology.
  • Analysis of ncRNA regulation of immune checkpoints (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4).
  • Examination of ncRNA roles in diverse immunotherapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • ncRNAs critically influence immune checkpoint axes (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4), affecting anti-tumor immunity.
  • ncRNA networks are integral to the efficacy of T cell therapies, engineered immune cells, cytokine therapies, vaccines, and oncolytic viruses.
  • ncRNAs demonstrate potential as biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response and patient prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • ncRNAs are pivotal in cancer-immune crosstalk and represent promising targets for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
  • Further research into ncRNA mechanisms can unlock new strategies for precision immuno-oncology.
  • Incorporating ncRNAs into clinical practice holds significant potential for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
Non-coding RNAcancerimmune checkpoint inhibitorsimmunotherapytherapy

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