Non-coding RNA in cancer

The effects of intracellular and exosomal ncRNAs on cancer progression

Altered gene expression as well as mislocalization of a gene's encoded product (proteins or noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs)) can lead to disease and cancer formation. Multiple studies have indicated that exosomes and their contents act as cell-to-cell communicators and play a key role in cancer progression. Moreover, exosomes contain several functional molecules, including ncRNAs. NcRNAs function as master regulators to coordinate cell growth, cell motility and drug resistance. However, intracellular ncRNAs, which can be transferred to recipient cells via exosomes (exosomal ncRNAs), mediate common/distinct downstream molecules, signaling pathways and functions that are less emphasized concepts in cancer development research. In this study, by using exosomes as a model, we comprehensively discuss the current knowledge regarding (1) the functional role of ncRNAs, both their intracellular and exosomal forms, in cancer progression, (2) the possible mechanism of ncRNA incorporation into exosomes and (3) the therapeutic applications and limitations of exosomes based on current knowledge.

Investigation of the Use of Circulating Long Non-coding RNA HOXA Transcript at the Distal Tip (LncRNA HOTTIP) as a Biomarker in Breast Cancer

The critical need for new diagnostic and prognostic methods is highlighted by the fact that breast cancer continues to be the top cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Due to the dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in numerous malignancies, they have become potential biomarkers in cancer. Recent research has focused on the lncRNA HOTTIP (HOXA transcript at the distal tip), which has a function in breast cancer metastasis and carcinogenesis. Until recently, HOTTIP had only been measured in cancer tissues and specimens. The aim of this study is to assess the amounts of the lncRNA HOTTIP in the blood serum of 46 breast cancer patients using real-time PCR analysis and identify the relationships between HOTTIP expression and several known clinical and pathological factors, including tumor grade, stage, lymph node involvement, hormone receptor status, and cell proliferation. The results of the study confirmed a positive relation of HOTTIP expression and breast cancer aggressiveness and metastatic behavior. The analysis results showed elevated HOTTIP values in stage III and T3/T4 tumors with multifocal characteristics and in lymph node involvement. Our findings raise the possibility of HOTTIP serving as a future prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients.

Exploring the role of lncrna neat1 knockdown in regulating apoptosis across multiple cancer types: A review

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression, contributing significantly to a diverse range of cellular processes, including apoptosis. One such lncRNA is NEAT1, which is elevated in several types of cancer and aid in cancer growth. However, recent studies have also demonstrated that the knockdown of NEAT1 can inhibit cancer cells proliferation, movement, and infiltration while enhancing apoptosis. This article explores the function of lncRNA NEAT1 knockdown in regulating apoptosis across multiple cancer types. We explore the existing understanding of NEAT1's involvement in the progression of malignant conditions, including its structure and functions. Additionally, we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which NEAT1 modulates the cell cycle, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, movement, and infiltration in diverse cancer types, including acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, glioma, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and retinoblastoma. Furthermore, we review the recent studies investigating the therapeutic potential of NEAT1 knockdown in cancer treatment. Targeting the lncRNA NEAT1 presents a promising therapeutic approach for treating cancer. It has shown the ability to suppress cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis in various cancer types.

Circular RNA in Multiple Sclerosis: Pathogenicity and Potential Biomarker Development: A Systematic Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disorder of the CNS that affects millions of people worldwide. The causes of the disease remain unknown despite extensive efforts to understand it. CircRNAs are a unique class of endogenous non-coding RNA that are abundant, stable, conserved, and specifically expressed molecules, making them a promising biomarker of diseases. This review investigates the role of circRNA in MS pathogenicity and their potential as a biomarker through a comprehensive literature search conducted in 8 scientific databases. The studies found that there are differentially expressed circRNAs in MS patients compared to healthy controls (HC), and this difference is even more pronounced in different MS subtypes. Enrichment of circRNAs in linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks that harbor MS-associated SNPs suggests that these SNPs manipulate the levels of circRNAs in the surrounding area, contributing to disease pathogenicity. While circRNA shows promise as an indicator or biomarker for MS disease pathology, further research is needed to fully explore its potential and impact on human biology.

LINC02086 promotes cell viability and inhibits cell apoptosis in breast cancer by sponging miR-6757-5p and up-regulating EPHA2

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Our study aims to characterize the functions of LINC02086 which few published in breast cancer and decipher the downstream molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

LINC02086 expression is tested in RNA-seq data from GEPIA database, tumor tissue samples from hospital patients and breast cancer cell lines. LINC02086 was silenced or overexpressed by lenti-virus-mediated shRNAs, or pLVX-Puro plasmids. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were applied to study interactions between LINC02086, miR-6757-5p and ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2). LINC02086-silencing MCF-7 cells were injected into mice to establish xenograft animal models.

RESULTS

Using RNA-seq data, tumor tissue samples and breast cancer cells, LINC02086 was consistently found to be up-regulated in breast cancer, and correlated with poorer prognosis. LINC02086 knockdown decreased cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis and suppressed tumor growth. LINC02086 interacted with miR-6757-5p that interacted with EPHA2.LINC02086 expression was negatively correlated with miR-6757-5p expression (r = -0.5698, P < 0.001) but was positively correlated with EPHA2 expression (r = 0.5061, P < 0.001). miR-6757-5p expression was negatively correlated with EPHA2 expression (r = -0.5919, P < 0.001). LINC02086 regulated EPHA2 via miR-6757-5p. miR-6757-5p/EPHA2 axis was a mediator of the effect of LINC02086 on cell viability and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

LINC02086 increases cell viability and decreases apoptotic cells in breast cancer by sponging miR-6757-5p to upregulate EPHA2. This study presents LINC02086/miR-6757-5p/EPHA2 axis as promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer intervention.

Emerging Role of Circular RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunotherapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly fatal malignancy with limited therapeutic options and high recurrence rates. Recently, immunotherapeutic agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a new paradigm shift in oncology. ICIs, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, have provided a new source of hope for patients with advanced HCC. Yet, the eligibility criteria of HCC patients for ICIs are still a missing piece in the puzzle. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently emerged as a new class of non-coding RNAs that play a fundamental role in cancer pathogenesis. Structurally, circRNAs are resistant to exonucleolytic degradation and have a longer half-life than their linear counterparts. Functionally, circRNAs possess the capability to influence various facets of the tumor microenvironment, especially at the HCC tumor-immune synapse. Notably, circRNAs have been observed to control the expression of immune checkpoint molecules within tumor cells, potentially impeding the therapeutic effectiveness of ICIs. Therefore, this renders them potential cancer-immune biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic regimen determinants. In this review, the authors shed light on the structure and functional roles of circRNAs and, most importantly, highlight the promising roles of circRNAs in HCC immunomodulation and their potential as promising biomarkers and immunotherapeutic regimen determinants.

Hsa_circ_0079557 Promotes the Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells Through the hsa_circ_0079557/miR-502-5p/CCND1 Axis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Recent studies have demonstrated the crucial regulatory roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancer initiation and progression. The sponge mechanism of circRNAs has been shown to be widely active in various types of tumors. However, many circRNAs still have not been verified to function through this mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of hsa_circ_0079557 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its role in CRC progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Raw gene expression profile datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and combined to form a new dataset. Hsa_circ_0079557 was found to be highly expressed in CRC. Its role was evaluated in vitro and in vivo through a series of experiments, including quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, colony formation, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell assays, scratch wound healing assays, nude mice experiments, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The association between hsa_circ_0079557 and the identified target microRNAs (miRNA) was confirmed through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The downstream target proteins were predicted using the web-based tool "TargetScan," and their expressions were determined using Western blot (WB).

RESULTS

Hsa_circ_0079557 was found to be relatively up-regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Suppression of hsa_circ_0079557 expression inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, hsa_circ_0079557 acted as a "molecular sponge" for miR-502-5p, up-regulating the expression of Cyclin D1 (CCND1).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we identify a highly expressed circRNA in CRC and propose a novel pathway of hsa_circ_0079557/miR-502-5p/CCND1 in CRC.

Non-coding RNAs' function in cancer development, diagnosis and therapy

While previous research on cancer biology has focused on genes that code for proteins, in recent years it has been discovered that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)play key regulatory roles in cell biological functions. NcRNAs account for more than 95% of human transcripts and are an important entry point for the study of the mechanism of cancer development. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs can act as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes to regulate tumor development at the epigenetic level, transcriptional level, as well as post-transcriptional level. Because of the importance of ncRNAs in cancer, most clinical trials have focused on ncRNAs to explore whether ncRNAs can be used as new biomarkers or therapies. In this review, we focus on recent studies of ncRNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), circle RNAs (circRNAs), PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA in different types of cancer and explore the application of these ncRNAs in the development of cancer and the identification of relevant therapeutic targets and tumor biomarkers. Graphical abstract drawn by Fidraw.

Small extracellular vesicles - A host for advanced bioengineering and "Trojan Horse" of non-coding RNAs

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are a type of membranous vesicles that can be released by cells into the extracellular space. The relationship between sEVs and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is highly intricate and interdependent. This symbiotic relationship plays a pivotal role in facilitating intercellular communication and holds profound implications for a myriad of biological processes. The concept of sEVs and their ncRNA cargo as a "Trojan Horse" highlights their remarkable capacity to traverse biological barriers and surreptitiously deliver their cargo to target cells, evading detection by the host-immune system. Accumulating evidence suggests that sEVs may be harnessed as carriers to ferry therapeutic ncRNAs capable of selectively silencing disease-driving genes, particularly in conditions such as cancer. This approach presents several advantages over conventional drug delivery methods, opening up new possibilities for targeted therapy and improved treatment outcomes. However, the utilization of sEVs and ncRNAs as therapeutic agents raises valid concerns regarding the possibility of unforeseen consequences and unintended impacts that may emerge from their application. It is important to consider the fundamental attributes of sEVs and ncRNAs, including by an in-depth analysis of the practical and clinical potentials of exosomes, serving as a representative model for sEVs encapsulating ncRNAs.

Advances and challenges in thyroid cancer: The interplay of genetic modulators, targeted therapies, and AI-driven approaches

Thyroid cancer continues to exhibit a rising incidence globally, predominantly affecting women. Despite stable mortality rates, the unique characteristics of thyroid carcinoma warrant a distinct approach. Differentiated thyroid cancer, comprising most cases, is effectively managed through standard treatments such as thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy. However, rarer variants, including anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, necessitate specialized interventions, often employing targeted therapies. Although these drugs focus on symptom management, they are not curative. This review delves into the fundamental modulators of thyroid cancers, encompassing genetic, epigenetic, and non-coding RNA factors while exploring their intricate interplay and influence. Epigenetic modifications directly affect the expression of causal genes, while long non-coding RNAs impact the function and expression of micro-RNAs, culminating in tumorigenesis. Additionally, this article provides a concise overview of the advantages and disadvantages associated with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions in thyroid cancer. Furthermore, with technological advancements, integrating modern software and computing into healthcare and medical practices has become increasingly prevalent. Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques hold the potential to predict treatment outcomes, analyze data, and develop personalized therapeutic approaches catering to patient specificity. In thyroid cancer, cutting-edge machine learning and deep learning technologies analyze factors such as ultrasonography results for tumor textures and biopsy samples from fine needle aspirations, paving the way for a more accurate and effective therapeutic landscape in the near future.

Combating drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma: No awareness today, no action tomorrow

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the sixth most common cancer worldwide, is associated with a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. Patients with early HCC may benefit from surgical resection to remove tumor tissue and a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. Unfortunately, most patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced or distant stage, at which point resection is not feasible. Systemic therapy is now routinely prescribed to patients with advanced HCC; however, drug resistance has become a major obstacle to the treatment of HCC and exploring purported mechanisms promoting drug resistance remains a challenge. Here, we focus on the determinants of drug resistance from the perspective of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), exosomes, ferroptosis, and the tumor microenvironment (TME), with the aim to provide new insights into HCC treatment.

Long Non-Coding RNA as a Potential Biomarker for Canine Tumors

Cancer is the leading cause of death in both humans and companion animals. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a crucial role in the progression of various types of cancers in humans, involving tumor proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and signaling pathways, and acts as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and targeted treatment. However, research on lncRNAs related to canine tumors is in an early stage. Dogs have long been considered a promising natural model for human disease. This article summarizes the molecular function of lncRNAs as novel biomarkers in various types of canine tumors, providing new insights into canine tumor diagnosis and treatment. Further research on the function and mechanism of lncRNAs is needed, which will benefit both human and veterinary medicine.

Circular RNAs: A New Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, a condition characterised by demyelination and axonal damage in the central nervous system, is due to autoreactive immune cells that recognise myelin antigens. Alteration of the immune balance can promote the onset of immune deficiencies, loss of immunosurveillance, and/or development of autoimmune disorders such as MS. Numerous enzymes, transcription factors, signal transducers, and membrane proteins contribute to the control of immune system activity. The "transcriptional machine" of eukaryotic cells is a complex system composed not only of mRNA but also of non-coding elements grouped together in the set of non-coding RNAs. Recent studies demonstrate that ncRNAs play a crucial role in numerous cellular functions, gene expression, and the pathogenesis of many immune disorders. The main purpose of this review is to investigate the role of circular RNAs, a previously unknown class of non-coding RNAs, in MS's pathogenesis. CircRNAs influence post-transcriptional control, expression, and functionality of a microRNA and epigenetic factors, promoting the development of typical MS abnormalities such as neuroinflammation, damage to neuronal cells, and microglial dysfunction. The increase in our knowledge of the role of circRNAs in multiple sclerosis could, in the future, modify the common diagnostic-therapeutic criteria, paving the way to a new vision of this neuroimmune pathology.

The Role of the Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Pathway in Gastrointestinal Cancers

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has attracted attention as a tumor suppressor because of its potent growth-suppressive effect on epithelial cells. Dysregulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway is considered to be one of the key factors in carcinogenesis, and genetic alterations affecting TGF-β signaling are extraordinarily common in cancers of the gastrointestinal system, such as hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that TGF-β is produced from various types of cells in the tumor microenvironment and mediates extracellular matrix deposition, tumor angiogenesis, the formation of CAFs, and suppression of the anti-tumor immune reaction. It is also being considered as a factor that promotes the malignant transformation of cancer, particularly the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Therefore, elucidating the role of TGF-β signaling in carcinogenesis, cancer invasion, and metastasis will provide novel basic insight for diagnosis and prognosis and the development of new molecularly targeted therapies for gastrointestinal cancers. In this review, we outline an overview of the complex mechanisms and functions of TGF-β signaling. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potentials of targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway for gastrointestinal cancer treatment and discuss the remaining challenges and future perspectives on targeting this pathway.

Computational identification and clinical validation of a novel risk signature based on coagulation-related lncRNAs for predicting prognosis, immunotherapy response, and chemosensitivity in colorectal cancer patients

Background

Coagulation is critically involved in the tumor microenvironment, cancer progression, and prognosis assessment. Nevertheless, the roles of coagulation-related long noncoding RNAs (CRLs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In this study, an integrated computational framework was constructed to develop a novel coagulation-related lncRNA signature (CRLncSig) to stratify the prognosis of CRC patients, predict response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy in CRC, and explore the potential molecular mechanism.

Methods

CRC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as the training set, while the substantial bulk or single-cell RNA transcriptomics from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) data from CRC cell lines and paired frozen tissues were used for validation. We performed unsupervised consensus clustering of CRLs to classify patients into distinct molecular subtypes. We then used stepwise regression to establish the CRLncSig risk model, which stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. Subsequently, diversified bioinformatics algorithms were used to explore prognosis, biological pathway alteration, immune microenvironment, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity across patient subgroups. In addition, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to construct an lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous network. Expression levels of CRLncSig, immune checkpoints, and immunosuppressors were determined using RT-qPCR.

Results

We identified two coagulation subclusters and constructed a risk score model using CRLncSig in CRC, where the patients in cluster 2 and the low-risk group had a better prognosis. The cluster and CRLncSig were confirmed as the independent risk factors, and a CRLncSig-based nomogram exhibited a robust prognostic performance. Notably, the cluster and CRLncSig were identified as the indicators of immune cell infiltration, immunoreactivity phenotype, and immunotherapy efficiency. In addition, we identified a new endogenous network of competing CRLs with microRNA/mRNA, which will provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies of CRLs in the malignant progression of CRC. Moreover, CRLncSig strongly correlated with drug susceptibility.

Conclusion

We developed a reliable CRLncSig to predict the prognosis, immune landscape, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity in patients with CRC, which might facilitate optimizing risk stratification, guiding the applications of immunotherapy, and individualized treatments for CRC.

Compounds targeting ferroptosis in breast cancer: progress and their therapeutic potential

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of Breast cancer (BC), making it the most common cancer among women and a major threat to women's health. Consequently, there is an urgent need to discover new and effective strategies for treating BC. Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species, has emerged as a distinct regulatory pathway separate from necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy. It is widely recognized as a crucial factor in the development and progression of cancer, offering a promising avenue for BC treatment. While significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of ferroptosis in BC, drug development is still in its early stages. Numerous compounds, including phytochemicals derived from dietary sources and medicinal plants, as well as synthetic drugs (both clinically approved medications and laboratory reagents), have shown the ability to induce ferroptosis in BC cells, effectively inhibiting tumor growth. This comprehensive review aims to examine in detail the compounds that target ferroptosis in BC and elucidate their potential mechanisms of action. Additionally, the challenges associated with the clinical application of ferroptosis-inducing drugs are discussed, offering valuable insights for the development of novel treatment strategies for BC.

Crosstalk between Non-Coding RNAs and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Head and Neck Cancer: Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Agents

Head and neck cancers (HNC) encompass a broad spectrum of neoplastic disorders characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. While contemporary therapeutic interventions offer promise, challenges persist due to tumor recurrence and metastasis. Central to HNC pathogenesis is the aberration in numerous signaling cascades. Prominently, the Wnt signaling pathway has been critically implicated in the etiology of HNC, as supported by a plethora of research. Equally important, variations in the expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified to modulate key cancer phenotypes such as cellular proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastatic potential, recurrence, and treatment resistance. This review aims to provide an exhaustive insight into the multifaceted influence of ncRNAs on HNC, with specific emphasis on their interactions with the Wnt/β-catenin (WBC) signaling axis. We further delineate the effect of ncRNAs in either exacerbating or attenuating HNC progression via interference with WBC signaling. An overview of the mechanisms underlying the interplay between ncRNAs and WBC signaling is also presented. In addition, we described the potential of various ncRNAs in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic modalities. In summary, this assessment posits the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic agents targeting the WBC signaling pathway in HNC management.

Phloretin alleviates palmitic acid-induced oxidative stress in HUVEC cells by suppressing the expression of LncBAG6-AS

Oxidative stress (OS) is an important trigger of vascular endothelial injury (VEI), which then leads to cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Phloretin was previously investigated to alleviate OS in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by activating the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway; however, whether phloretin exerts cardiovascular health benefits by targeting non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) remains unclear. Herein, the whole transcriptome sequencing and lncRNA library building were performed on HUVECs, a commonly used cell line for CVDs study, from different groups in control (CK), palmitic acid (PA, 100 μM), and PA + phloretin (50 μM, G50). KEGG analysis demonstrated that DE-lncRNAs regulated the pathway related to OS and metabolism in HUVECs. LncBAG6-AS was highly expressed under OS stimulation, which was reversed by phloretin co-treatment. Moreover, the MMP, activities of SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC and GR were significantly ameliorated after interference of LncBAG6-AS, which were consistent with phloretin recover group. Furthermore, the expression of DE-genes from previously reported mRNA sequencing, including MAPK10, PIK3R1, ATP2B4, AKT2, and ADCY9, were significantly changed with LncBAG6-AS interference, indicating that LncBAG6-AS may participate in the process of OS attenuation by phloretin through regulating gene expression. So, the transcriptome sequencing of HUVECs with LncBAG6-AS knockdown was subsequently performed and DE-genes for "NC vs. si-ASO-LncBAG6-AS" were significantly enriched with GO terms, such as apoptosis, response to OS, ferroptosis, and others, which were similar to those observed from KEGG analysis. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive substances alleviate OS and potential targets for the early prevention and treatment of VEI.

LncRNA UCA1 promotes pancreatic cancer cell migration by regulating mitochondrial dynamics via the MAPK pathway

PURPOSE

Long non-coding RNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) serves as an oncogene in various cancers. However, the mechanism underlying the role of UCA1 in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of UCA1 in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

The expression and prognosis of UCA1 were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. The results were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT-PCR. The biofunctions of UCA1 were analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The migration abilities and mitochondrial dynamics of PC cells were examined using the Transwell assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and fluorescence. The mitochondrial-related protein and MAPK/ERK pathway markers were evaluated using western blotting.

RESULTS

UCA1 expression was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer tissues than in normal tissues. High UCA1 expression indicated poor clinical outcomes and was associated with clinical features in patients with pancreatic cancer. Additionally, high UCA1 expression is a potential independent marker for poor prognosis. Subsequently, we demonstrated that UCA1 enhanced the migration capability, increased MMP, enhanced mitochondrial fusion, and inhibited mitochondrial autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells via the MAPK/ERK pathway.

CONCLUSION

UCA1 promotes the migration by regulating the mitochondrial dynamics of pancreatic cancer cells via the MAPK/ERK pathway. Our findings suggest that UCA1 may serve as a potential biomarker in pancreatic cancer prognosis.

A review on the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine with anti-cancer effect targeting ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It can be triggered by various mechanisms, including the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-glutathione (GSH) axis, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1)-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) pathway, and the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1)-coenzyme Q10 axis. The redox balance is disrupted when ferroptosis occurs in cells, which is fatal to cancer cells. Additionally, some tumor-associated genes are involved in ferroptosis. Hence, targeting ferroptosis might be an effective strategy for treating cancer. Several small-molecule compounds exhibit anti-tumor effects through ferroptosis, including sorafenib and altretamine, which induce ferroptosis by inhibiting System-Xc and GPX4 respectively, but many problems, such as poor druggability, still exist. Some studies have shown that many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) induce ferroptosis by inhibiting GPX4, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), or by increasing the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), transferrin (TF), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). These changes can lead to the lysosomal degradation of ferritin, accumulation of iron, lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn can promote anti-tumor activities or synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis, and the anti-tumor pharmacology of TCM targeting ferroptosis including prescriptions, Chinese herbs, extracts, and natural compounds. Our findings might act as valuable reference for research on anti-tumor drugs targeting ferroptosis, especially those drugs developed from TCM.

Emerging roles of interactions between ncRNAs and other epigenetic modifications in breast cancer

Up till the present moment, breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Although the treatment methods and protocols for breast cancer are constantly improving, the long-term prognosis of patients is still not optimistic due to the complex heterogeneity of the disease, multi-organ metastasis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance. As a newly discovered class of non-coding RNAs, ncRNAs play an important role in various cancers. Especially in breast cancer, lncRNAs have received extensive attention and have been confirmed to regulate cancer progression through a variety of pathways. Meanwhile, the study of epigenetic modification, including DNA methylation, RNA methylation and histone modification, has developed rapidly in recent years, which has greatly promoted the attention to the important role of non-coding RNAs in breast cancer. In this review, we carefully and comprehensively describe the interactions between several major classes of epigenetic modifications and ncRNAs, as well as their different subsequent biological effects, and discuss their potential for practical clinical applications.

Long non-coding RNA and the tumor microenvironment: Prospects for clinical applications in breast cancer

Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the number one cancer worldwide, and invasion and metastasis are still the main causes of death in breast cancer patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important site for the growth of tumor cells nourished by vascular networks, and various components of the TME interact strongly with cancer cells and are one of the important mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis. In recent years, many studies have reported that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are involved in the formation of TME and influence the process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. This paper reviews the basic characteristics and functional roles of LncRNA in breast cancer TME and introduces the various mechanisms of LncRNA in breast cancer microenvironment that induce breast cancer development and metastasis in three directions: immune cells, non-immune cells, and extracellular matrix in TME, providing potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for clinical practice.

Construction and validation of a cuproptosis-related lncRNA prognosis signature in bladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a prevalent urological tumor with high morbidity and mortality. However, BLCA treatment remains challenging due to a lack of effective biomarkers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as active participants in tumor progression are involved in multiple biological regulatory mechanisms, and cuproptosis-related genes participate in the development of cancer. It is important to discover cuproptosis- related lncRNAs for BLCA diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

A predictive signature was constructed based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) and Cox regression analyses of the 9 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. Samples were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group based on their median risk scores to explore their prognosis.

RESULTS

This signature is well predictive, as evidenced by the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves) and K-M curves. Based on the nomogram, we were able to visually forecast the survival rates of patients with BLCA at 1-, 3-, and 5-year, and the calibration plots displayed that the actual results were well matched with the predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Furthermore, BLCA patients in the high-risk group had a higher Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score and lower TMB. Finally, we investigated the response of antitumor drugs for BLCA patients in different risk groups, and a statistically significant difference was observed in the sensitivity of those drugs between low- and the high-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

According to the 9 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, we constructed a signature which can be served as a promising prognostic biomarker for BLCA patients.

A comprehensive evaluation of serum tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant digestive system tumor. Since the early symptoms of GC are usually vague and the positive rate of common biomarkers of GC is low, it is of urgent need to find new biomarkers with good sensitivity and specificity to screen and diagnose GC patients. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are emerging small noncoding RNAs that play an essential role in cancer progression. In this study, we explored whether novel tsRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for GC. Three tsRNAs significantly upregulated in GC were screened by the tsRFun database. The expression level of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Agarose gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the characteristics of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP. The χ2 test was used to analyze the correlation between tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP expression level and clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the correlation between tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP expression levels and survival time of GC patients. In this study, the expression level of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP was significantly increased in GC tissues. The expression level of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP was considerably higher in the serum of GC patients than in the serum of gastritis patients and in the serum of healthy donors, and the expression level of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP was significantly decreased in the serum of GC patients after surgery. In addition, the χ2 test showed that the expression level of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP in GC serum was correlated with differentiation grade, T-stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor node metastasis stage, and neurological/vascular invasion. The results of the survival curve showed that the high expression of serum tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP was associated with a low survival rate. ROC analysis showed that serum tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP had higher diagnostic efficiency than common GC biomarkers, and the diagnostic efficiency was further improved by combining them. At the end of the study, we predicted the downstream of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP. The expression level of tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP in the serum of GC patients can effectively identify GC patients and has higher efficacy than conventional biomarkers. In addition, serum tRF-29-R9J8909NF5JP can monitor the postoperative condition of GC patients, suggesting that it has the potential to become a biomarker for GC.

The role of non-coding RNAs in extracellular vesicles in breast cancer and their diagnostic implications

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common form of cancer worldwide, responsible for 25% of cancers in women. Whilst treatment is effective and often curative in early BC, metastatic disease is incurable, highlighting the need for early detection. Currently, early detection relies on invasive procedures, however recent studies have shown extracellular vesicles (EVs) obtained from liquid biopsies may have clinical utility. EVs transport diverse bioactive cargos throughout the body, play major roles in intercellular communication and, importantly, mirror their cell of origin. In cancer cells, EVs alter the behaviour of the tumour microenvironment (TME), forming a bridge of communication between cancerous and non-cancerous cells to alter all aspects of cancer progression, including the formation of a pre-metastatic niche. Through gene regulatory frameworks, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) modulate vital molecular and cellular processes and can act as both tumour suppressors and oncogenic drivers in various cancer types. EVs transport and protect ncRNAs, facilitating their use clinically as liquid biopsies for early BC detection. This review summarises current research surrounding ncRNAs and EVs within BC, focusing on their roles in cancer progression through bi-directional communication with the microenvironment and their diagnostic implications. The role of EV ncRNAs in breast cancer. A representation of the different EV ncRNAs involved in tumourigenic processes in breast cancer. Pro-tumourigenic ncRNAs displayed in green and ncRNAs which inhibit oncogenic processes are shown in red.

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Myelodysplastic Neoplasms

Myelodysplastic syndromes or neoplasms (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid clonal disorders characterized by peripheral blood cytopenias, blood and marrow cell dysplasia, and increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, serve as regulators of normal and malignant hematopoiesis and have been implicated in carcinogenesis. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the biology and role of non-coding RNAs, including the less studied circRNA, siRNA, piRNA, and snoRNA as potential prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers or therapeutic targets in MDS.

Deciphering the Mysterious Relationship between the Cross-Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative and Oncological Diseases

The relationship between oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders is extremely complex and is a topic of concern among a growing number of researchers around the world. In recent years, convincing scientific evidence has accumulated that indicates the contribution of a number of etiological factors and pathophysiological processes to the pathogenesis of these two fundamentally different diseases, thus demonstrating an intriguing relationship between oncology and neurodegeneration. In this review, we establish the general links between three intersecting aspects of oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., oxidative stress, epigenetic dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction, examining each process in detail to establish an unusual epidemiological relationship. We also focus on reviewing the current trends in the research and the clinical application of the most promising chemical structures and therapeutic platforms that have a modulating effect on the above processes. Thus, our comprehensive analysis of the set of molecular determinants that have obvious cross-functional pathways in the pathogenesis of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases can help in the creation of advanced diagnostic tools and in the development of innovative pharmacological strategies.

Unlocking the role of non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer progression: exploring the interplay with the Wnt signaling pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in males, exhibiting a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that pose challenges in its diagnosis and treatment. The Wnt signaling pathway, a conserved and complex pathway, is crucial for embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and various physiological processes. Apart from the classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, there exist multiple non-classical Wnt signaling pathways, including the Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca2+ pathways. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and development of PCa and the response to PCa treatment. ncRNAs are known to execute diverse regulatory roles in cellular processes, despite their inability to encode proteins. Among them, microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs play key roles in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway in PCa. Aberrant expression of these ncRNAs and dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway are one of the causes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis in PCa. Moreover, these ncRNAs affect the characteristics of PCa cells and hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the role of ncRNAs in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway during the development of PCa. Additionally, we present an overview of the current progress in research on the correlation between these molecules and clinical features of the disease to provide novel insights and strategies for the treatment of PCa.

Combination of multiple omics techniques for a personalized therapy or treatment selection

Despite targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients, only a limited number of patients have long-term responses. Moreover, due to differences within cancer patients in the tumor mutational burden, composition of the tumor microenvironment as well as of the peripheral immune system and microbiome, and in the development of immune escape mechanisms, there is no "one fit all" therapy. Thus, the treatment of patients must be personalized based on the specific molecular, immunologic and/or metabolic landscape of their tumor. In order to identify for each patient the best possible therapy, different approaches should be employed and combined. These include (i) the use of predictive biomarkers identified on large cohorts of patients with the same tumor type and (ii) the evaluation of the individual tumor with "omics"-based analyses as well as its ex vivo characterization for susceptibility to different therapies.

Milk thistle nano-micelle formulation promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through modulating miR-155-3p /SOCS2 /PHLDA1 signaling axis

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent form of liver cancer that causes significant mortality in numerous individuals worldwide. This study compared the effects of milk thistle (MT) and nano-milk thistle (N-MT) on the expression of the genes that participate in apoptosis and cell cycle pathways in Huh-7 and HepG2 cells.

METHODS

IC50 values of MT and N-MT were determined using the MTT assay. Huh-7 and HepG2 cell lines (containing mutant and wild-type TP53 gene, respectively) were incubated with MT and N-MT for 24h and 48h and the impact of MT and N-MT on the proliferation of these cell lines was evaluated through a comparative analysis. Cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry after 24h and 48h treatment in the cell lines mentioned. Real-time PCR was used to analyze miR-155-3p, PHLDA1, SOCS2, TP53, P21, BAX, and BCL-2 expression in the cell lines that were being treated.

RESULTS

N-MT reduces cancer cell growth in a time and concentration-dependent manner, which is more toxic compared to MT. Huh-7 was observed to have IC50 values of 2.35 and 1.7 μg/ml at 24h and 48h, and HepG2 was observed to have IC50 values of 3.4 and 2.6 μg/ml at 24 and 48h, respectively. N-MT arrested Huh-7 and HepG2 cells in the Sub-G1 phase and induced apoptosis. N-MT led to a marked reduction in the expression of miR-155-3p and BCL-2 after 24h and 48h treatments. Conversely, PHLDA1, SOCS2, BAX, and P21 were upregulated in the treated cells compared to untreated cells, which suggests that milk thistle has the potential to regulate these genes. N-MT reduced the expression of TP53 in Huh-7 cells after mentioned time points, while there was a significant increase in the expression of the TP53 gene in HepG2 cells. No gene expression changes were observed in MT-treated cells after 24h and 48h.

CONCLUSION

N-MT can regulate cancer cell death by arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. This occurs through the alteration of apoptotic genes expression. A reduction in the expression of miR-155-3p and increase in the expression of SOCS2 and PHLDA1 after N-MT treatment showed the correlation between miR-155-3p and PHLDA1/SOCS2 found in bioinformatics analysis. While N-MT increased TP53 expression in HepG2, reduced it in Huh-7. The findings indicate that N-MT can function intelligently in cancer cells and can be a helpful complement to cancer treatment.

Long Non-Coding RNA TUG1 Gene Polymorphism and TUG1 Expression Level as Molecular Biomarkers of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TUG1 acts as a proto-oncogene, allowing the proliferation of tumor cells, and it has been related to inflammation. Therefore, we aimed in this study to investigate for the first time the role of TUG1 gene polymorphism and the TUG1 level as biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their link to lupus nephritis 145 SLE. A total of 145 healthy controls were subjected to clinical and laboratory evaluation. The disease activity was assessed by the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score. SLE patients were divided into two subgroups according to the presence of lupus nephritis. The TUG1 gene polymorphisms rs5749201 and rs886471 were determined by Sanger sequencing, and TUG1 expression was assessed by qRT-PCR. There was a significant increase in the risk of SLE AA, TA, dominant genotypes, and the A allele of rs5749201 (p < 0.001) by 4.9-, 10.1-, 6.5-, and 2.5-fold in comparison to the relative control. GG and TG, dominant genotypes and the G allele of rs886471 (p < 0.01) increased the risk by 5.09-, 11.9-, 6.5-, and 2.6-fold. AA, A allele, dominant and recessive rs5749201genotypes increased the risk of lupus nephritis by 16.6-, 7.4-, 7.1-, and 12.2-fold, respectively (p < 0.05). GG, dominant and recessive genotypes, and the G allele of rs886471 increased the risk of lupus nephritis by 17.04-, 7.8-, 9.4-, and 6.08-fold, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AG haplotype increased the risk of SLE and lupus nephritis by 2.7- and 7.8-fold, respectively. The AA rs5749201 and GG rs886471 variants are significantly associated with more severe disease (p < 0.001). TUG1 expression was significantly higher in SLE than in the control and in the lupus nephritis than in non-lupus nephritis cases (p < 0.05). Interestingly, AA rs5749201 and GG rs886471 were significantly associated with higher TUG1 levels (p < 0.001). It was also found that AA rs5749201 and high SLEDAI were predictors of lupus nephritis. Overall, our findings illustrated for the first time that TUG1 gene rs5749201 and rs886471 variants were associated with increased risk of SLE, more severe disease, and lupus nephritis, and the TUG1 level could be used as a diagnostic biomarker of SLE and lupus nephritis.

Mechanism of HBx carcinogenesis interaction with non-coding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an extremely malignant tumor that affects individuals throughout the world. One of the main causes of HCC is hepatitis B virus (HBV). Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms underlying HBV carcinogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that the HBV X protein (HBx), which is encoded by HBV, plays a significant role in cell apoptosis, DNA damage repair, and cell cycle regulation. This ultimately leads to the development of HCC. Additionally, recent studies have shown that non-coding RNA (ncRNA) also contributes to the carcinogenesis and pathogenesis of different of tumors. ncRNA plays a significant role in the formation of HCC by regulating the inflammatory signaling pathway, activating immune cells, and modifying epigenetics. However, it remains unclear whether ncRNA is involved in the regulation of the carcinogenic mechanisms of HBx. This article reviews the carcinogenic mechanism of HBx and its interaction with ncRNA, providing a novel strategy for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Emerging role of miR-320a in lung cancer: a comprehensive review

A specialized biomarker(s) for lung cancer is imperative owing to its high mortality. Continuing our earlier work demonstrating the role of miR-320a as a tumor suppressor, here we discuss the most recent updates on miR-320a in lung cancer pathogenesis. We found that miR-320a modulates levels of diverse cancer-associated molecules and signaling pathways, and is also involved in modulating the immune microenvironment of lung cancer during its pathogenesis. We also discuss how miR-320a encapsulated in exosomes inhibits invasive phenotypes of lung cancer. Therefore, based on the multimodal role of miR-320a in lung cancer development and progression, we believe that miR-320a may be utilized as a potential diagnostic/prognostic marker and therapeutic target for lung cancer patients.

Metalloglycobiology: The power of metals in regulating glycosylation

The remarkable structural diversity of glycans that is exposed at the cell surface and generated along the secretory pathway is tightly regulated by several factors. The recent identification of human glycosylation diseases related to metal transporter defects opened a completely new field of investigation, referred to herein as "metalloglycobiology", on how metal changes can affect the glycosylation and hence the glycan structures that are produced. Although this field is in its infancy, this review aims to go through the different glycosylation steps/pathways that are metal dependent and that could be impacted by metal homeostasis dysregulations.

The role of non-coding RNAs in diabetes-induced osteoporosis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoporosis are two major health care problems worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that DM poses a risk for osteoporosis and can contribute to the development of diabetes-induced osteoporosis (DOP). Interestingly, some epidemiological studies suggest that DOP may be at least partially distinct from those skeletal abnormalities associated with old age or postmenopausal osteoporosis. The increasing number of DM patients who also have DOP calls for a discussion of the pathogenesis of DOP and the investigation of drugs to treat DOP. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have received more attention due to their significant role in cellular functions and bone formation. It is worth noting that ncRNAs have also been demonstrated to participate in the progression of DOP. Meanwhile, nano-delivery systems are considered a promising strategy to treat DOP because of their cellular targeting, sustained release, and controlled release characteristics. Additionally, the utilization of novel technologies such as the CRISPR system has expanded the scope of available options for treating DOP. Hence, this paper explores the functions and regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in DOP and highlights the advantages of employing nanoparticle-based drug delivery techniques to treat DOP. Finally, this paper also explores the potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic DOP biomarkers.

FSP1: a key regulator of ferroptosis

Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) is one of the main regulatory molecules of ferroptosis. FSP1 functions through the FSP1-coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)-NAD(P)H axis and the vitamin K redox cycle. FSP1 is regulated by upstream factors, including transcription factors and noncoding RNA (ncRNA), and is subject to epigenetic modifications, which affect the progress of FSP1-related diseases. FSP1 is closely associated with the poor prognosis of malignant tumors and plays an important role in disease treatment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of FSP1 in ferroptosis regulation by summarizing regulatory pathways, possible mechanisms involving FSP1, and the relationship between FSP1 and disease prognosis and treatment.

Recent progress in the immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: Non-coding RNA-based immunotherapy may improve the outcome

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improved the prognosis of HCC; however, the therapeutic response remains unsatisfactory in a substantial proportion of patients or needs to be further improved in responders. Herein, other methods of immunotherapy, including vaccine-based immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine delivery, kynurenine pathway inhibition, and gene delivery, have been adopted in clinical trials. Although the results were not encouraging enough to expedite their marketing. A major proportion of human genome is transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Preclinical studies have extensively investigated the roles of ncRNAs in different aspects of HCC biology. HCC cells reprogram the expression pattern of numerous ncRNAs to decrease the immunogenicity of HCC, exhaust the cytotoxic and anti-cancer function of CD8 + T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and M1 macrophages, and promote the immunosuppressive function of T Reg cells, M2 macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Mechanistically, cancer cells recruit ncRNAs to interact with immune cells, thereby regulating the expression of immune checkpoints, functional receptors of immune cells, cytotoxic enzymes, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, prediction models based on the tissue expression or even serum levels of ncRNAs could predict response to immunotherapy in HCC. Moreover, ncRNAs markedly potentiated the efficacy of ICIs in murine models of HCC. This review article first discusses recent advances in the immunotherapy of HCC, then dissects the involvement and potential application of ncRNAs in the immunotherapy of HCC.

SP1-Induced Upregulation of LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 Promotes Tumor Progression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating mTOR Pathway

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) actin fiber-associated protein-1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) exerted oncogenic activity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We designed this study and conducted it to investigate the upstream regulation mechanism of AFAP1-AS1 in TNBC tumorigenesis. In this work, we proved the localization of AFAP1-AS1 in the cytoplasm. We elucidated the mechanism by which the transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) modulated AFAP1-AS1 in TNBC progression, which has yet to be thoroughly studied. Dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed a strong affinity of SP1 toward the promoter regions P3 of AFAP1-AS1, proving the gene expression regulation of AFAP1-AS1 via SP1 in TNBC. Additionally, SP1 could facilitate the tumorigenesis of TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the AFAP1-AS1 expression. Furthermore, silenced AFAP1-AS1 suppressed the expression of genes in the mTOR pathway, such as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4B (EIF4B), mitogen-activated protein kinase-associated protein 1 (MAPKAP1), SEH1-like nucleoporin (SEH1L), serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), and its target NEDD4-like E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (NEDD4L), and promoted the gene expression of s-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2). Overall, this study emphasized the oncogenic role of SP1 and AFAP1-AS1 in TNBC and illustrated the AFAP1-AS1 upstream interaction with SP1 and the downstream modulatory of mTOR signaling, thus offering insights into the tumorigenesis mechanism in TNBC.

LncRNA GAS5-hnRNPK axis inhibited ovarian cancer progression via inhibition of AKT signaling in ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND

The incidence of ovarian cancer ranks third among gynecologic malignancies, but the mortality rate ranks first.

METHODS

The expression of GAS5 is low in ovarian cancer and is associated with the low survival of ovarian cancer patients according to public ovarian cancer databases. GAS5 overexpression inhibited ovarian malignancy by affecting the proliferation and migratory abilities in OVCAR3 and A2780 cells. GAS5 overexpression increased the rate of cell apoptosis, and the cells were blocked in the G1 phase as assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that hnRNPK was a potential target gene, which was regulated negatively by GAS5 based on RNA-pulldown and mass spectrometry analysis. Mechanistically, GAS5 affected the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways and bound the protein of hnRNPK, which influenced hnRNPK stability. Furthermore, rescue assays demonstrated hnRNPK was significantly involved in the progression of ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed one of the mechanisms that GAS5 inhibited ovarian cancer metastasis by down-regulating hnRNPK expression, and GAS5 can be used to predict the prognosis of ovarian cancer patients.

Clinical Significance of Non-Coding RNA Regulation of Programmed Cell Death in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a widely prevalent and malignantly progressive tumor. Most patients are typically diagnosed with HCC at an advanced stage, posing significant challenges in the execution of curative surgical interventions. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent a distinct category of RNA molecules not directly involved in protein synthesis. However, they possess the remarkable ability to regulate gene expression, thereby exerting significant regulatory control over cellular processes. Notably, ncRNAs have been implicated in the modulation of programmed cell death (PCD), a crucial mechanism that various therapeutic agents target in the fight against HCC. This review summarizes the clinical significance of ncRNA regulation of PCD in HCC, including patient diagnosis, prognosis, drug resistance, and side effects. The aim of this study is to provide new insights and directions for the diagnosis and drug treatment strategies of HCC.

Tumor-associated macrophages mediate resistance of EGFR-TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer: mechanisms and prospects

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the first-line standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation. However, resistance to EGFR-TKIs is inevitable. Currently, most studies on the mechanism of EGFR-TKIs resistance mainly focus on the spontaneous resistance phenotype of NSCLC cells. Studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) also mediates EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the central immune cells in the TME of NSCLC, play an essential role in mediating EGFR-TKIs resistance. This study aims to comprehensively review the current mechanisms underlying TAM-mediated resistance to EGFR-TKIs and discuss the potential efficacy of combining EGFR-TKIs with targeted TAMs therapy. Combining EGFR-TKIs with TAMs targeting may improve the prognosis of NSCLC with EGFR mutation to some extent.

Salidroside suppresses the multiple oncogenic activates and immune escape of lung adenocarcinoma through the circ_0009624-mediated PD-L1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a fatal malignancy all over the world. Salidroside (SAL) is an active component extracted from Rhodiola rosea that has been reported to exert antitumor activity against several human cancers, containing lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and underlying mechanism of SAL in LUAD.

METHODS

Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and transwell assays. Effects of LUAD cells on the cytotoxicity, percentage, and death of CD8+ cells were detected using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and flow cytometry assays. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein level was examined using western blot. Circ_0009624, enolase 1 (ENO1), and PD-L1 levels were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The biological role of SAL on LUAD tumor growth was assessed using the xenograft tumor model in vivo.

RESULTS

SAL restrained LUAD cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and immune escape in vitro via modulating PD-L1. Circ_0009624 expression was increased in LUAD. Applying SAL repressed circ_0009624 and PD-L1 expression in LUAD cells. SAL treatment hindered suppressed various oncogenic activates and immune escape of LUAD cells by regulating the circ_0009624/PD-L1 pathway. SAL blocked LUAD xenograft growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Applying SAL might constrain malignant phenotypes and immune escape of LUAD cells partially through the circ_0009624-mediated PD-L1 pathway, providing a novel insight for LUAD treatment.

Circulating noncoding RNAs: promising biomarkers in liquid biopsy for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of NSCLC

As the second most common malignant tumor in the world, lung cancer is a great threat to human health. In the past several decades, the role and mechanism of ncRNAs in lung cancer as a class of regulatory RNAs have been studied intensively. In particular, ncRNAs in body fluids have attracted increasing attention as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis and for the evaluation of lung cancer treatment due to their low invasiveness and accessibility. As emerging tumor biomarkers in lung cancer, circulating ncRNAs are easy to obtain, independent of tissue specimens, and can well reflect the occurrence and progression of tumors due to their correlation with some biological processes in tumors. Circulating ncRNAs have a very high potential to serve as biomarkers and hold promise for the development of ncRNA-based therapeutics. In the current study, there has been extensive evidence that circulating ncRNA has clinical significance and value as a biomarker. In this review, we summarize how ncRNAs are generated and enter the circulation, remaining stable for subsequent detection. The feasibility of circulating ncRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer is also summarized. In the current systematic treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, circulating ncRNAs can also predict drug resistance, adverse reactions, and other events in targeted therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy and have promising potential to guide the systematic treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Progress of regulatory RNA in small extracellular vesicles in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract with the second highest mortality rate and the third highest incidence rate. Early diagnosis and treatment are important measures to reduce CRC mortality. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have emerged as key mediators that facilitate communication between tumor cells and various other cells, playing a significant role in the growth, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Regulatory RNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC, serving as crucial factors in promoting CRC cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and immune cell differentiation. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the vital role of sEVs as biomarkers in CRC diagnosis and their potential application in CRC treatment, highlighting their importance as a promising avenue for further research and clinical translation.

Functional impact of non-coding RNAs in high-grade breast carcinoma: Moving from resistance to clinical applications: A comprehensive review

Despite the recent advances in cancer therapy, triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are the most relapsing cancer sub-type. It is partly due to their propensity to develop resistance against the available therapies. An intricate network of regulatory molecules in cellular mechanisms leads to the development of resistance in tumors. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained widespread attention as critical regulators of cancer hallmarks. Existing research suggests that aberrant expression of ncRNAs modulates the oncogenic or tumor suppressive signaling. This can mitigate the responsiveness of efficacious anti-tumor interventions. This review presents a systematic overview of biogenesis and down streaming molecular mechanism of the subgroups of ncRNAs. Furthermore, it explains ncRNA-based strategies and challenges to target the chemo-, radio-, and immunoresistance in TNBCs from a clinical standpoint.

Long non‐coding RNA as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in aggressive B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: A systematic review

Cancer initiation and progression have been associated with dysregulated long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) expression. However, the lncRNA expression profile in aggressive B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has not been comprehensively characterized. This systematic review aims to evaluate the role of lncRNAs as a biomarker to investigate their future potential in the diagnosis, real‐time measurement of response to therapy and prognosis in aggressive B‐cell NHL. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus databases using the keywords “long non‐coding RNA”, “Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma”, “Burkitt's lymphoma” and “Mantle cell lymphoma”. We included studies on human subjects that measured the level of lncRNAs in samples from patients with aggressive B‐cell NHL. We screened 608 papers, and 51 papers were included. The most studied aggressive B‐cell NHL was diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). At least 79 lncRNAs were involved in the pathogenesis of aggressive B‐cell NHL. Targeting lncRNAs could affect cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion in aggressive B‐cell NHL cell lines. Dysregulation of lncRNAs had prognostic (e.g. overall survival) and diagnostic values in patients with DLBCL, Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Furthermore, dysregulation of lncRNAs was associated with response to treatments, such as CHOP‐like chemotherapy regimens, in these patients. LncRNAs could be promising biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and response to therapy in patients with aggressive B‐cell NHL. Additionally, lncRNAs could be potential therapeutic targets for patients with aggressive B‐cell NHL like DLBCL, MCL or BL.

RP11-296E3.2 acts as an important molecular chaperone for YBX1 and promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and metastasis by activating STAT3

BACKGROUND

RP11-296E3.2 is a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, that was reported in our previous clinical studies. However, the mechanisms of RP11-296E3.2 in colorectal tumorigenesis remain elusive.

METHODS

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), Transwell assays and others, were performed to evaluate the function of RP11-296E3.2 for proliferation and metastasis in vitro. In situ and metastatic tumor models were performed to evaluate the function of RP11-296E3.2 for proliferation and metastasis in vivo. RNA-pulldown, RNA-interacting protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), tissue microarray (TMA) assay, a luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and others were performed to explore the mechanisms by which RP11-296E3.2 regulates CRC tumorigenesis.

RESULTS

RP11-296E3.2 was confirmed to be associated with CRC cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RP11-296E3.2 directly bound to recombinant Y-Box Binding Protein 1 (YBX1) and enhanced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transcription and phosphorylation. YBX1 promoted the CRC cell proliferation and migration, while knockdown of RP11-296E3.2 attenuated the effects of YBX1 on CRC cell proliferation, and metastasis and the expression of several related downstream genes. We are the first to discover and confirm the existence of the YBX1/STAT3 pathway, a pathway dependent on RP11-296E3.2.

CONCLUSION

Together, these novel findings show that the RP11-296E3.2/YBX1 pathway promotes colorectal tumorigenesis and progression by activating STAT3 transcription and phosphorylation, and suggest that RP11-296E3.2 is a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.

Inhibition of Cancer Development by Natural Plant Polyphenols: Molecular Mechanisms

Malignant tumors remain one of the main sources of morbidity and mortality around the world. A chemotherapeutic approach to cancer treatment poses a multitude of challenges, primarily due to the low selectivity and genotoxicity of the majority of chemotherapeutic drugs currently used in the clinical practice, often leading to treatment-induced tumors formation. Highly selective antitumor drugs can largely resolve this issue, but their high selectivity leads to significant drawbacks due to the intrinsic tumor heterogeneity. In contrast, plant polyphenols can simultaneously affect many processes that are involved in the acquiring and maintaining of hallmark properties of malignant cells, and their toxic dose is typically much higher than the therapeutic one. In the present work we describe the mechanisms of the action of polyphenols on cancer cells, including their effects on genetic and epigenetic instability, tumor-promoting inflammation, and altered microbiota.

Gut microbes influence the development of central nervous system disorders through epigenetic inheritance

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), affect quality of life of patients and pose significant economic and social burdens worldwide. Due to their obscure and complex pathogeneses, current therapies for these diseases have limited efficacy. Over the past decade, the gut microbiome has been shown to exhibit direct and indirect influences on the structure and function of the CNS, affecting multiple pathological pathways. In addition to the direct interactions between the gut microbiota and CNS, the gut microbiota and their metabolites can regulate epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and regulation of non-coding RNAs. In this review, we discuss the tripartite relationship among gut microbiota, epigenetic inheritance, and CNS disorders. We suggest that gut microbes and their metabolites influence the pathogenesis of CNS disorders at the epigenetic level, which may inform the development of effective therapeutic strategies for CNS disorders.

SETD2-H3K36ME3: an important bridge between the environment and tumors

Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the occurrence, development and treatment of tumors. The histone methyltransferase SET-domain-containing 2 (SETD2) plays a key role in mammalian epigenetic regulation by catalyzing histone methylation and interacting with RNA polymerase II to mediate transcription elongation and mismatch repair. As an important bridge between the environment and tumors, SETD2-H3K36me3 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Many tumors, including renal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, are closely related to SETD2 gene mutations. As a key component of common tumor suppressor mechanisms, SETD2-H3K36me3is an important target for clinical disease diagnosis and treatment. Here, we reviewed the structure and function of the SETD2 and how SETD2-H3K36me3 functions as a bridge between the environment and tumors to provide an in-depth understanding of its role in the occurrence and development of various tumors, which is of great significance for future disease diagnosis and treatment.