Expression and clinical significance of lncRNA BC041954 in ovarian cancer

Latest Update on lncRNA in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer-A Scoping Review

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules exceeding 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins yet play critical roles in regulating gene expression at multiple levels, such as chromatin modification and transcription. These molecules are significantly engaged in cancer progression, development, metastasis, and chemoresistance. However, the function of lncRNAs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has not yet been thoroughly studied. EOC remains challenging due to its complex molecular pathogenesis, characterized by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Emerging evidence suggests that lncRNAs, such as XIST, H19, NEAT1, and MALAT1, are involved in EOC by modulating gene expression and signaling pathways, influencing processes like cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of acting of lncRNAs in EOC pathogenesis and treatment resistance still needs to be fully understood, highlighting the need for further studies. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the current understanding of lncRNAs in EOC, emphasizing their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We point out the gaps in the knowledge regarding lncRNAs' influence on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), deliberating on new possible research areas.

Biomarkers in high grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is the most common subtype of ovarian cancer. HGSC patients typically present with advanced disease, which is often resistant to chemotherapy and recurs despite initial responses to therapy, resulting in the poor prognosis associated with this disease. There is a need to utilise biomarkers to manage the various aspects of HGSC patient care. In this review we discuss the current state of biomarkers in HGSC, focusing on the various available immunohistochemical (IHC) and blood-based biomarkers, which have been examined for their diagnostic, prognostic and theranostic potential in HGSC. These include various routine clinical IHC biomarkers such as p53, WT1, keratins, PAX8, Ki67 and p16 and clinical blood-borne markers and algorithms such as CA125, HE4, ROMA, RMI, ROCA, and others. We also discuss various components of the liquid biopsy as well as a number of novel IHC biomarkers and non-routine blood-borne biomarkers, which have been examined in various ovarian cancer studies. We also discuss the future of ovarian cancer biomarker research and highlight some of the challenges currently facing the field.

Angio-Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 (rs3200401) and MIAT (rs1061540) Gene Variants in Ovarian Cancer

The genotyping of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be associated with cancer risk and/or progression. This study aimed to analyze the angiogenesis-related lncRNAs MALAT1 (rs3200401) and MIAT (rs1061540) variants in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) using "Real-Time allelic discrimination polymerase chain reaction" in 182 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of benign, borderline, and primary malignant ovarian tissues. Differences in the genotype frequencies between low-grade ovarian epithelial tumors (benign/borderline) and malignant tumors and between high-grade malignant epithelial tumors and malignant epithelial tumors other than high-grade serous carcinomas were compared. Odds ratios (ORs)/95% confidence intervals were calculated as measures of the association strength. Additionally, associations of the genotypes with the available pathological data were analyzed. The heterozygosity of MALAT1 rs3200401 was the most common genotype (47.8%), followed by C/C (36.3%). Comparing the study groups, no significant differences were observed regarding this variant. In contrast, the malignant epithelial tumors had a higher frequency of the MIAT rs1061540 C/C genotype compared to the low-grade epithelial tumor cohorts (56.7% vs. 37.6, p = 0.031). The same genotype was significantly higher in high-grade serous carcinoma than its counterparts (69.4% vs. 43.8%, p = 0.038). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the age at diagnosis was significantly associated with the risk of OC development. In contrast, the MIAT T/T genotype was associated with a low risk of malignant epithelial tumors under the homozygote comparison model (OR = 0.37 (0.16-0.83), p = 0.017). Also, MIAT T allele carriers were less likely to develop high-grade serous carcinoma under heterozygote (CT vs. CC; OR = 0.33 (0.12-0.88), p = 0.027) and homozygote (TT vs. CC; OR = 0.26 (0.07-0.90), p = 0.034) comparison models. In conclusion, our data provide novel evidence for a potential association between the lncRNA MIAT rs1061540 and the malignant condition of ovarian cancer, suggesting the involvement of such lncRNAs in OC development.