Unraveling the ncRNA landscape that governs colorectal cancer: A roadmap to personalized therapeutics

Targeting ferroptosis: the role of non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and therapy

One of the most common tumors is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the prognosis for late-stage HCC is still not good. It is anticipated that improved outcomes would result from a deeper comprehension of the pathophysiology of HCC. Ferroptosis as a new discovered cell death type is linked to the progression of HCC and may be crucial for its detection, prevention, therapy, and prognosis. Numerous studies suggest that epigenetic alterations mediated by non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) might influence cancer cell susceptibility to ferroptosis. This study elucidates the processes of ferroptosis and delineates the paths by which ncRNAs influence HCC by modulating ferroptosis. Furthermore, it offers significant insights into ferroptosis-associated ncRNAs, intending to discover novel therapeutic approaches for HCC. It also explores innovative concepts for the future use of ncRNA-based ferroptosis-targeted therapeutics.

Natural products and long non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer: insights into etiology and treatment resistance

Globally, the incidence and death rates associated with cancer persist in rising, despite considerable advancements in cancer therapy. Although some malignancies are manageable by a mix of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and targeted therapy, most malignant tumors either exhibit poor responsiveness to early identification or endure post-treatment survival. The prognosis for prostate cancer (PCa) is unfavorable since it is a perilous and lethal malignancy. The capacity of phytochemical and nutraceutical chemicals to repress oncogenic lncRNAs and activate tumor suppressor lncRNAs has garnered significant attention as a possible strategy to diminish the development, proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of cancer cells. A potential technique to treat cancer and enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to existing conventional therapies is the use of phytochemicals with anticancer characteristics. Functional studies indicate that lncRNAs modulate drug resistance, stemness, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and proliferation via interactions with tumor suppressors and oncoproteins. Among them, numerous lncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, PlncRNA1, GAS5, MEG3, LincRNA-21, and POTEF-AS1, support the development of PCa through many molecular mechanisms, including modulation of tumor suppressors and regulation of various signal pathways like PI3K/Akt, Bax/Caspase 3, P53, MAPK cascade, and TGF-β1. Other lncRNAs, in particular, MALAT-1, CCAT2, DANCR, LncRNA-ATB, PlncRNA1, LincRNA-21, POTEF-AS1, ZEB1-AS1, SChLAP1, and H19, are key players in regulating the aforementioned processes. Natural substances have shown promising anticancer benefits against PCa by altering essential signaling pathways. The overexpression of some lncRNAs is associated with advanced TNM stage, metastasis, chemoresistance, and reduced survival. LncRNAs possess crucial clinical and transitional implications in PCa, as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as medicinal targets. To impede the progression of PCa, it is beneficial to target aberrant long non-coding RNAs using antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). This prevents them from transmitting harmful messages. In summary, several precision medicine approaches may be used to rectify dysfunctional lncRNA regulatory circuits, so improving early PCa detection and eventually facilitating the conquest of this lethal disease. Due to their presence in biological fluids and tissues, they may serve as novel biomarkers. Enhancing PCa treatments mitigates resistance to chemotherapy and radiation.

MicroRNAs involved in colorectal cancer, a rapid mini-systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer (CRC) involves the uncontrolled proliferation of glandular epithelial cells in the colon or rectum. The high mortality rate associated with CRC has driven extensive research into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Among these, microRNAs (miRNA) have gained attention for their crucial role in regulating various cellular processes that contribute to the initiation, progression, and metastasis of CRC.

METHOD

This systematic review aimed to assess the roles of various miRNAs in CRC by analyzing multiple studies. The PICO framework was followed to structure the study regarding miRNA involved in CRC development and progression compared to normal cases. The outcomes were measured according miRNAs impact on CRC progression, survival rates, and treatment response. Systematic review of studies published from 2000 to November 2023 were included. Data were collected from prominent databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Irandoc, SID, and Magiran, covering studies from 2000 to November 2023. Studies were managed using EndNote for citation management, and duplicates were removed. The remaining studies were evaluated based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

In our review, we categorized 28 miRNAs based on their potential tumor suppressor or oncogenic effects in CRC progression. Among them, 14 miRNAs were highlighted as important based on the assessment using TCGA data, with miR-200a also showing a significant effect on patient survival.

CONCLUSION

This study compiled and analyzed validated miRNAs associated with CRC progression. The findings suggest the potential of these miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers, which may be used alone or in combination with traditional tumor markers for improved diagnostic and prognostic applications in CRC. This review contributes novel insights by updating the current understanding and offering a comprehensive evaluation of miRNAs in CRC.

LincRNA-miR interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma: comprehensive review and in silico analysis: a step toward ncRNA precision

The most prevalent form of primary liver cancer and one of the chief drivers of cancer-related mortality globally is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Imminent evidence has indicated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play an integral part in the development and propagation of HCC. RNA stabilization, transcription regulation, chromatin and genomic architecture remodeling, enhancer-associated activity, and other varied properties set long intergenic ncRNA (lincRNA) genes apart from messenger RNA (mRNA)-encoding genes. Through a variety of processes, lincRNAs may generally be used to fine-tune the transcription of nearby genes with exceptional tissue specificity, underscoring our quickly developing knowledge of the non-coding genome. Through their binding with divergent cell targets, some HCC-related ncRNAs have been demonstrated to exhibit abnormal expression, contribute to malignant growth, evade apoptosis, and have invasive potential. Therefore, a better comprehension of lincRNA dysregulation might offer novel perspectives on the pathophysiology of HCC as well as innovative instruments for the early detection and management of HCC. In the present review, we provide an overview of the increasing relevance of lincRNAs as a major contributor to the pathophysiology of HCC, emphasizing their influence on signaling pathways implicated in the development, progression, and response to treatment of tumors. In addition, we go over the new approaches that target lincRNAs for HCC treatment as well as the possible therapeutic uses of lincRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for HCC.

Rasal2 inhibits autophagic-exosomes secretion via regulating Rab27a in triple-negative breast cancer progression

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype with the worst prognosis and there is still a lack of effective treatment. Exosomes (Exos) secreted by cancer cells to tumor microenvironment play an important role in cancer progression. We have demonstrated that the function of Rasal2 in the modulation of breast cancer progression is exos-mediated, but the relationship between Rasal2 and exosome secretion remains elusive.

METHODS

Rasal2 knock-out (KO) MDA-MB-231 cells were conducted by crispr-cas9 technique and Rab27a knock-down (KD) in Rasal2 KO MDA-MB-231 cells (KO + KD) were further established by siRNA-mate plus transfection Reagent. Control (CT)/KO MDA-MB-231 cells stably overexpressing GFP-LC3 were generated by using GFP-LC3 plamisd. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blot analysis (WB) were used to identify exos derived from TNBC. Confocal microscopy was used to observe the autophagic flux and the colocalization of autophagosomes and multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Co-immunoprecipitation analysis was performed to determine the interaction between Rasal2 and Rab27a. Immunohistochemical analysis were used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins in tumor tissues of xenograft mice inoculated with CT/KO/KO + KD MDA-MB-231 cells.

RESULTS

In this paper, we found that Rasal2 KO disrupts autophagic flux and induces secretory autophagy to promote autophagic-exos secretion in TNBC. Moreover, Rasal2 inhibits the activity of Rab27a which regulates vesicles transport and fusion, and Rab27a mediates Rasal2 KO-induced autophagic-exos secretion. Additionally, Rab27a KD inhibits Rasal2 KO-induced secretory autophagy, thereby promoting TNBC progression both in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these findings delineated the role of Rab27a in TNBC progression modulated by Rasal2 through autophagy-exos pathway and suggested that it is of great significance for the early diagnosis, targeted therapy and prognosis judgement of TNBC from the perspective of tumor microenvironment.

Identification of dysregulated competitive endogenous RNA network driven by copy number variation in colon adenocarcinoma

Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network modulation plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). This study analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) data to identify 151 copy number variation (CNV)-driven lncRNAs in COAD, constructing a ceRNA network (6 lncRNAs-14 miRNAs-68 mRNAs). Functional enrichment revealed their roles in muscle system processes , blood vessel development and extracellular matrix organization. Survival analysis linked LINC00941 amplification to poor prognosis. Two CNV-driven lncRNA-targeting drugs were identified, offering insights into COAD mechanisms and potential biomarkers.

The Role of Proteomics and Genomics in the Development of Colorectal Cancer Diagnostic Tools and Potential New Treatments

The complex molecular mechanisms involving genetic and epigenetic modifications contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC), which remains a significant threat to world health. This review elucidates the role of proteomics and genomics in the progression, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancers. All potential key pathways involved in CRC, including WNT, MAPK, PI3K, and TGF-β pathways, are reviewed with a systematic analysis, concluding with their involvement in tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance. Emerging next-generation sequencing technologies revealed critical mutations that are relevant to CRC development. Proteomics has contributed to identifying biomarkers and post-translational modifications that hold promise for targeted therapies. Recent technological advances have provided functional insights into protein signaling networks and pathways through mass spectrometry and integrated proteogenomic approaches. This work emphasizes biomarker-driven translational efforts that integrate genomic insights with protein expression profiles to refine personalized treatments. The application of innovations in liquid biopsy and computational biology advocates for precision medicine paths to improve the outcomes for CRC. Now, pharmacoproteomics offers novel domains for drug discovery and resistance management and serves as a foundation for comprehensive CRC treatment paradigms.

Comprehensive review and in silico analysis of the role of noncoding RNAs in retinoblastoma: A step-toward ncRNA precision

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have greatly revolutionized our understanding of gene regulation and its main role in oncogenesis, particularly in retinoblastoma (RB), the most prevalent type of intraocular malignancy in children. Despite recent significant therapeutic advances, the prognosis for RB remains unclear owing to late diagnosis and resistance to conventional treatments. This review comprehensively explores the multiple roles of ncRNAs-microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs)-in RB pathogenesis. miRNA dysregulation serves as the initial cascade for modulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Similarly, lncRNAs demonstrate dual behavior, functioning either as oncogenic drivers or tumor suppressors by interacting with several molecular targets and interacting with different signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Additionally, circRNAs, owing to their persistent stability and unique ability to act as miRNA sponge main binding sites, affect various normal physiological processes, influencing tumor progression and chemoresistance. Emerging data also highlight the intricate crosstalk between piRNAs and other ncRNAs in retinal homeostasis and oncogenesis, with promising future implications for their utility as diagnostic biomarkers in liquid biopsy types. This comprehensive review consolidates the latest knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in retinoblastoma (RB), along with in silico analysis of ncRNA-gene interactions, providing a guide for precision medical approaches. However, future research should aim to utilize ncRNAs as a vital clinical tool to improve the early diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted treatment of RB.

The immunosuppressive role of VSIG4 in colorectal cancer and its interaction with the tumor microenvironment

BACKGROUND

The tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer (CRC) significantly influences disease progression and immune responses, particularly the role of macrophages in regulating immune evasion requires further investigation.

METHODS

This study integrated data from the TCGA-COAD dataset with the GEO database, along with single-cell RNA sequencing data, to systematically analyze key genes in colorectal cancer. R software was utilized for data normalization and differential analysis, with criteria set at ∣log2FoldChange ∣ > 1 and adjusted p-value < 0.05 for gene selection. The Seurat package was employed for clustering single-cell data, while the "Monocle2" algorithm was used to perform pseudo-time analysis on the differentiation trajectory of macrophages. Additionally, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was applied for subtype classification of CRC patients, and various machine learning algorithms (such as LASSO and random forest models) were utilized to identify key pathogenic genes. Finally, PCR was employed to validate the expression of these key genes, and immune analysis software was used to assess their impact on immune cells, alongside pathway enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

Through the integration of multi-omics data, we identified significant differential expression of VSIG4, CYBBC3AR1, and FCGR1A in CRC patients. LASSO and random forest models selected these three genes as critical pathogenic factors for CRC, with AUC values exceeding 0.8 across multiple machine learning models, demonstrating their high diagnostic efficacy. PCR validation further supported the differential expression of VSIG4 and other genes in CRC. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that VSIG4 was highly enriched in specific macrophage subpopulations and significantly influenced the tumor microenvironment by regulating CD8 + T cell immune exhaustion. Pseudo-time analysis indicated that the differentiation trajectory of macrophages during tumor progression was closely associated with VSIG4 expression. Additionally, cell communication analysis. highlighted the important role of VSIG4 in the interactions between macrophages and endothelial cells. Pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that VSIG4 expression was closely linked to the regulation of the JAK-STAT pathway and metabolic pathways such as the TCA cycle.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first evidence that VSIG4, CYBBC3AR1, and FCGR1A play critical roles in the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer, particularly emphasizing the immunoregulatory function of VSIG4 in macrophage activity and CD8 + T cell immune exhaustion. PCR validation further confirmed the differential expression of these genes. These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms of CRC and provide a potential theoretical basis for targeting VSIG4 in immunotherapy.

Circulating Exosomal Proteins as New Diagnostic Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer (EXOSCOL01): A Pilot Case-Controlled Study Focusing on MMP14 Potential

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The French CRC screening campaign is based on fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), confirmed by colonoscopy, an invasive procedure with a poor participation rate. This study aimed to compare the expression of circulating exosomal proteins (MMP14, β1-Integrin subunit, β3-Integrin subunit, and α1(I) Collagen chain) in patients with CRC or adenomas.

METHODS

A total of 71 patients were recruited, including 24 controls (normal colonoscopy), 11 patients with adenoma, and 36 with CRC. Plasmatic exosomal protein expression was measured by western blot analysis and reported to either protein or exosome content.

RESULTS

The three groups were comparable regarding clinical characteristics. A significant difference was observed for MMP14 relative expression (p = 0.0007), MMP14 expression reported to exosomal protein content (p = 0.0003), and MMP14 expression reported to exosome content (p = 0.0005). These three parameters were significantly higher in patients with adenoma vs. control patients (p = 0.0013, p = 0.0004, and p = 0.0003, respectively). Only MMP14 relative intensity was significantly higher in the CRC group vs. the control group (p = 0.0018).

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomal MMP14 is a promising early diagnostic biomarker for CRC and adenoma. These preliminary results warrant confirmation in larger studies using quantitative measurements such as ELISA or flow cytometry.

Screening colorectal cancer associated autoantigens through multi-omics analysis and diagnostic performance evaluation of corresponding autoantibodies

BACKGROUND

This study aims to screen, validate novel biomarkers and develop a user-friendly online tool for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

Multi-omics approach, comprising proteomic analysis and single-cell transcriptomic analysis, was utilized to discover candidate tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). The presence of tumor-associated autoantibodies (TAAbs) in serum was subsequently assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 300 CRC patients and 300 healthy controls. Ten machine learning algorithms were utilized to develop diagnostic models, with the optimal one selected and integrated into an R Shiny-based GUI to enhance usability and accessibility.

RESULTS

We identified twelve potential TAAs: HMGA1, NPM1, EIF1AX, CKS1B, HSP90AB1, ACTG1, S100A11, maspin, ANXA3, eEF2, P4HB, and HKDC1. ELISA results showed that five TAAbs including anti-CKS1B, anti-S100A11, anti-maspin, anti-ANXA3, and anti-eEF2 were potential diagnostic biomarkers during the diagnostic evaluation phase (all P < 0.05). The Random Forest model yielded an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.88) on the training set and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.82) on the test set, demonstrating the robustness of the results. Web-based implementations of CRC diagnostic tools are publicly accessible via weblink https://qzan.shinyapps.io/CRCPred/ .

CONCLUSIONS

A five biomarker panel can server as complementary biomarker to CEA and CA19-9 in CRC detection.

Regulatory interplay between lncRNA-FGD5-AS1 and miR-17-5p in non-small cell lung cancer progression: Implications for novel therapeutic strategies

BackgroundMicroRNA-17-5p (miR-17-5p) plays a pivotal role in the tumorigenesis and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by regulating its target genes. Advances in molecular biology highlight the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer, yet the mechanistic interactions between miR-17-5p and lncRNAs in NSCLC remain underexplored.ObjectiveThis study investigated the regulatory interplay between miR-17-5p and lncRNA-FGD5-AS1 and evaluated their potential as targets for NSCLC therapy.MethodsA comprehensive set of technologies, including cell transfection, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), bioinformatics analysis, and functional assays (proliferation, migration, apoptosis), was employed to examine the role of miR-17-5p and lncRNA-FGD5-AS1 in NSCLC.ResultsElevated lncRNA-FGD5-AS1 expression was observed in NSCLC cell lines A549 and H1299, correlating with poor patient prognosis. Functional assays revealed that miR-17-5p directly downregulates lncRNA-FGD5-AS1, thereby modulating key oncogenic processes. Overexpression of miR-17-5p reduced tumor cell proliferation and migration while inducing apoptosis. Conversely, miR-17-5p inhibition elevated lncRNA-FGD5-AS1 levels and reversed these effects.ConclusionThe findings identify the miR-17-5p/lncRNA-FGD5-AS1 regulatory axis as a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC. By integrating molecular and technological approaches, this study offers insights into precision oncology and highlights the potential for advanced RNA-based interventions.

A bioinformatics analysis of the target role of miRNA-431-5p on KLK6 in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Although increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play different roles in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), investigations on miRNA-targeted regulation in CRC are sparse. However, the high morbidity and mortality of CRC necessitates exploring this area of research for potential alternative therapeutic approaches to CRC.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was used to obtain the key Hub genes related to CRC, and survival analysis was performed to screen out the core genes. Meanwhile, verification was performed using CCK-8, Transwell, qPCR, WB, immunohistochemistry and dual luciferase assays at a cellular level.

RESULTS

This study identified the hub gene KLK6 associated with CRC based on the GEO and TCGA databases. Survival analysis revealed a significant decrease in the survival rate of CRC patients with increasing expression levels of KLK6. Target gene prediction confirmed that miR-431-5p can target KLK6. Cell experimental results demonstrated that the miR-431-5p inhibitor enhanced cell viability and promoted cell migration and invasion while miR-431-5p mimics reduced cell viability and inhibited cell migration and invasion. Both the inhibitor and mimics of miR-431-5p suppressed and promoted the expression of miR-431-5p, as well as promoted and inhibited the KLK6 mRNA and protein expression. Dual luciferase results showed that miR-431-5p targeted KLK6, and cell recovery experiments further verified that miR-431-5p regulated cell viability, migration and invasion by targeting KLK6.

CONCLUSIONS

Through target gene prediction, miR-431-5p was found to target KLK6, suggesting its therapeutic potential in CRC. As such, therapies that can inhibit KLK6 via miR-431-5p offer a promising approach to CRC.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Metformin modulates FJX1 via upregulation of Hsa-miR-1306-3p to suppress colon adenocarcinoma viability

Metformin, widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has recently gained attention for its potential anticancer properties. Several studies have shown that metformin treatment inhibits cell viability in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD); however, the research related to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage is limited. As COAD is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, understanding the genetic factors that regulate the pathogenesis of COAD at each TNM stage and the effects of metformin for potential treatment. Therefore, we identified differentially expressed factors at the TNM stage in metformin-treated COAD cells and investigated their regulatory mechanisms using microRNAs (miRNAs). Through bioinformatics analyses, four-jointed box kinase 1 (FJX1) and hsa-miR-1306-3p were identified as differentially expressed in COAD upon metformin treatment. Metformin treatment significantly reduced cell viability, with an observed decrease of approximately 50%. Analysis using quantitative real-time PCR showed an increase in hsa-miR-1306-3p and a decrease in FJX1 expression upon metformin treatment compared to untreated cells. Luciferase assay confirmed the sequence-specific binding of hsa-miR-1306-3p to FJX1. These findings highlight the potential of metformin as a therapeutic agent for COAD by modulating FJX1 expression via upregulation of hsa-miR-1306-3p, revealing novel avenues for COAD treatment.

Integrating transcriptomics and scPagwas analysis predicts naïve CD4 T cell-related gene DRAM2 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

The interaction between T cells, particularly naïve CD4 T cells (CD4Tn), and colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly complex. CD4Tn play a crucial role in modulating immune responses within the tumor microenvironment, yet the precise mechanisms by which they influence tumor progression remain elusive. This study aims to explore the relationship between CRC and CD4Tn, identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and focus on the role of CD4Tn in shaping the immune environment of CRC.

METHODS

Single-cell transcriptomics, alongside the scPagwas algorithm, were employed to identify pivotal T cell subsets involved in CRC progression. Bulk transcriptomic data were further analyzed using deconvolution algorithms to elucidate the roles of these key T cell subsets. The abundance of naïve CD4 T cells (CD4Tn) was specifically assessed to gauge patient responses to immunotherapy, alterations in the immune microenvironment, and correlations with genetic mutations. Key genes linked to CD4Tn were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis and Pearson correlation scores. The SMR algorithm was subsequently used for validation, with experimental verification following.

RESULTS

Through single-cell transcriptomics and the scPagwas algorithm, CD4Tn was confirmed as a critical cell type in CRC progression. High infiltration of CD4Tn cells in CRC patients was correlated with poorer prognosis and suboptimal responses to immunotherapy. SMR analysis suggested a potential causal link between DRAM2 gene expression and CRC progression. Experimental knockdown of DRAM2 in colorectal cancer cells significantly inhibited tumor growth.

CONCLUSION

The DRAM2 gene, associated with CD4Tn cells, appears to play a pivotal role in the advancement of CRC and may represent a promising therapeutic target for treatment.

Comprehensive insights and In silico analysis into the emerging role of LincRNAs in lung diseases pathogenesis; a step toward ncRNA precision

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential regulators of gene expression, significantly influencing various biological processes. Approximately half of all lncRNAs are classified as long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), which are situated among coding genes. Recent studies have documented the role of lincRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, including lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These lincRNAs can modulate gene expression through various mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications, transcriptional regulation, and post-transcriptional regulation. By functioning as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), lincRNAs can affect the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their corresponding target genes. This review delves into the intricate mechanisms by which lincRNAs contribute to the development and progression of various lung diseases. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of lincRNAs as therapeutic targets.

Insights into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing X-chromosome-linked-miRNAs expression in cancer; a step-toward ncRNA precision

Sex chromosomes play a significant role in establishing sex-specific differences in gene expression, thereby contributing to phenotypic diversity and susceptibility to various diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are small non-coding RNAs encoded by both the X and Y chromosomes, exhibit sex-specific regulatory characteristics. Computational analysis has identified several X-linked miRNAs differentially expressed in sex-specific cancers. This review aims to elucidate the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that govern the sex-specific expression of X- and Y-linked miRNAs, with particular attention to their functional role in regulating diverse cellular processes in different cancer pathways. In addition, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the targeted therapeutic interventions and critical insights into the potential clinical implications of targeting sex-specific miRNAs. In conclusion, this review opens new horizons for further research to effectively translate these findings into viable treatment options.

WTAP/IGF2BP3 Mediated m6A Modification of SOD2 mRNA Aggravates the Tumourigenesis of Colorectal Cancer

Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) has been validated to be a crucial regulator in the tumorigenesis and advancement of diverse malignancies. This study intended to probe the impacts of WTAP on colorectal cancer (CRC) progression from the perspective of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. The differential expression patterns of WTAP in clinical CRC samples and cultured cell lines were validated via qRT-PCR and western blot. Cell function tests were conducted with colony formation, transwell, and CCK-8. MeRIP-qPCR was conducted to identify the WTAP-mediated SOD2 (Superoxide dismutase 2) mRNA modification in CRC cells. Animal experiments were adopted to evaluate the function of WTAP in vivo. WTAP exhibited high expression pattern in CRC samples along with cells. Silencing of WTAP potently restrained the growth of CRC tumorigenesis in virto and in vivo. Mechanically, SOD2 was identified as an m6A target of WTAP. WTAP-mediated m6A modification of SOD2 mRNA elevated its stability in an IGF2BP3-dependent manner. Meanwhile, SOD2 overexpression could reverse the tumor suppressive effect induced by WTAP silencing. Molecular therapy targeting WTAP-SOD2 may offer novel insights and perspectives for the treatment of CRC.

LncRNAs orchestration of gastric cancer - particular emphasis on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment resistance

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major public health challenge worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the development, progression, and resistance to the treatment of GC, as shown by recent developments in molecular characterization. Still, an in-depth investigation of the lncRNA landscape in GC is absent. However, The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate our present understanding of the role that lncRNA dysregulation plays in the etiology of GC and treatment resistance, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications. Research that described the functions of lncRNA in angiogenesis, stemness, epigenetics, metastasis, apoptosis, development, and resistance to key treatments was given priority. In GC, it has been discovered that a large number of lncRNAs, including MALAT1, HOTAIR, H19, and ANRIL, are aberrantly expressed and are connected with disease-related outcomes. Through various methods such as chromatin remodeling, signal transduction pathways, and microRNA sponging, they modulate hallmark cancer capabilities. Through the activation of stemness programs, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and survival signaling, LncRNAs also control resistance to immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. By clarifying their molecular roles further, we may be able to identify new treatment targets and ways to overcome resistance. This article aims to explore the interplay between lncRNAs, and GC. Specifically, the focus is on understanding how lncRNAs contribute to the etiology of GC and influence treatment resistance in patients with this disease.