Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer proliferation: Molecular interactions and possible therapeutic targets

Entezari, Maliheh; Taheriazam, Afshin; Mirzaei, Sepideh; Salimimoghadam, Shokooh; Kalu, Azuma and Nabavi, Noushin (2023). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer proliferation: Molecular interactions and possible therapeutic targets. In: Sethi, Gautam and Ashrafizadeh, Milad eds. Non-coding RNA Transcripts in Cancer Therapy: Pre-clinical and Clinical Implications. World Scientific, pp. 103–130.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811267390_0005

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-protein coding RNAs that have more than 200 nucleotides. lncRNAs have been found to be aberrantly expressed in human diseases including cancer. In cancer, lncRNAs exert critical roles and affect all the cancer hallmarks including apoptosis, proliferative capacity, malignancy, invasiveness, immune evasion, angiogenesis, chemo-resistance, and radio-resistance via regulating various factors and signaling pathways. lncRNAs target other non-coding RNAs, commonly miRNAs. lncRNAs are predominantly either tumor suppressors or oncogenic. However, some lncRNAs have both roles based on the cancer type. For instance, MIR31HG exerts tumor suppressor functions in hepatocellular carcinoma while possessing oncogenic roles in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer cells inhibit apoptosis, increase metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, and promote cell cycle progression to augment their proliferation. Evidence has revealed the critical role of lncRNAs in the regulation of these mechanisms, either by their suppression or by promotion. Thus, the aim of this chapter is to discuss the importance of lncRNAs in the regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle progression, and glycolysis in various types of cancer.