LncRNA GAS5 confers the radio sensitivity of cervical cancer cells via regulating miR-106b/IER3 axis

Dysregulation of GAS5-miRNA-Mediated Signaling Pathways in Cancer Pathobiology: A Comprehensive Exploration of Pathways Influenced by this Axis

The long non-coding RNA Growth Arrest-Specific 5 (GAS5) is pivotal in modulating key signaling pathways by functioning as a molecular sponge for microRNAs (miRNAs). GAS5 is notably recognized for its antitumor properties, primarily through its ability to sequester oncogenic miRNAs, thereby influencing critical pathways such as p53, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/Akt, all of which are integral to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. The disruption of GAS5-miRNA interactions has been implicated in various malignancies, reinforcing its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target. This paper delves into the intricate signaling cascades affected by GAS5-miRNA interactions and thoroughly investigates the diagnosis and treatment prospects associated with GAS5. Moreover, it addresses both the challenges and opportunities for translational applicability of these findings in clinical environments. The study emphasizes GAS5's significance within the cancer molecular landscape and posits that precise modulation of GAS5-miRNA interactions could catalyze transformative developments in cancer diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. This comprehensive review not only highlights the critical role of non-coding RNAs in cancer biology but also aims to lay the groundwork for future investigations aimed at harnessing these insights for therapeutic interventions.

From diagnosis to therapy: The role of LncRNA GAS5 in combatting some cancers affecting women

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a collection of non-coding RNA molecules that consist of more than 200 nucleotides. In human malignancies, these lncRNAs exhibit abnormal expression patterns and play a significant role in either suppressing or promoting tumor growth. They achieve this by modulating various functions and mechanisms within cancer cells, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and resistance to different therapeutic approaches. The downregulation of long non-coding RNA growth arrest‑specific transcript 5 (GAS5) has been observed in multiple tumor types, indicating its role as a tumor suppressor in cancer. GAS5 exhibits interactions with various proteins, DNA, and microRNAs (miRNAs), leading to the upregulation of several mRNAs encoding suppressor proteins like PTEN. Consequently, this upregulation inhibits tumor growth. In this review, we have examined the existing literature concerning the expression of GAS5 and its diagnostic significance in female tissue-specific cancers, including breast, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Additionally, we have explored its interactions with different miRNAs and its impact on cancer progression and resistance to therapy in these malignancies.

Epigenetic Regulation by lncRNA GAS5/miRNA/mRNA Network in Human Diseases

The interplay between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) is crucial in the epigenetic regulation of mRNA and protein expression, impacting the development and progression of a plethora of human diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory-associated diseases, and viral infection. Among the many lncRNAs, growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) has garnered substantial attention for its evident role in the regulation of significant biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis. Through miRNA-mediated signaling pathways, GAS5 modulates disease progression in a cell-type-specific manner, typically by influencing proteins involved in inflammation and cell death. While GAS5 is recognized as a tumor suppressor in cancer, recent reports highlight its broader regulatory capacity in non-cancerous diseases. Its modulation of protein expression through the GAS5/miRNA network has been shown to both mitigate and exacerbate disease, depending on the specific context. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of GAS5 manipulation, via knockdown or overexpression, offers promising avenues for targeted interventions across human diseases. This review explores the dualistic impacts of the GAS5/miRNA network in conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, viral infections, and inflammatory disorders. Through the evaluation of current evidence, we aim to provide insight into GAS5's biological functions and its implications for future research and therapeutic development.

LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes as potential biomarkers in cervical cancer: a comprehensive overview

Despite the recent advances in vaccination and treatment strategies, cervical cancer continues to claim numerous lives every year. Owing to the fact that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) interact with coding transcripts, and effectuate key roles in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of cervical cancer, there has been extensive research in recent years to explore their potential as biomarkers for early detection, or as therapeutic targets. Through this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in discoveries about cervical cancer-associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axes, their dysregulation, and their roles in various signaling pathways associated with the growth, survival, invasion, and metastasis of cervical cancer cells. We further discuss the potential therapeutic strategies to utilize the dysregulated lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and as therapeutic targets to ameliorate the prognosis of cervical cancer.

Role of Non-coding RNAs on the Radiotherapy Sensitivity and Resistance in Cancer Cells

Radiotherapy (RT) is an integral part of treatment management in cancer patients. However, one of the limitations of this treatment method is the resistance of cancer cells to radiotherapy. These restrictions necessitate the introduction of modalities for the radiosensitization of cancer cells. It has been shown that Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), along with modifiers, can act as radiosensitivity and radioresistant regulators in a variety of cancers by affecting double strand break (DSB), wnt signaling, glycolysis, irradiation induced apoptosis, ferroptosis and cell autophagy. This review will provide an overview of the latest research on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of ncRNA after RT in in vitro and preclinical researches.

RNA biomarkers in cancer therapeutics: The promise of personalized oncology

Cancer therapy is a rapidly evolving and constantly expanding field. Current approaches include surgery, conventional chemotherapy and novel biologic agents as in immunotherapy, that together compose a wide armamentarium. The plethora of choices can, however, be clinically challenging in prescribing the most suitable treatment for any given patient. Fortunately, biomarkers can greatly facilitate the most appropriate selection. In recent years, RNA-based biomarkers have proven most promising. These molecules that range from small noncoding RNAs to protein coding gene transcripts can be valuable in cancer management and especially in cancer therapeutics. Compared to their DNA counterparts which are stable throughout treatment, RNA-biomarkers are dynamic. This allows prediction of success prior to treatment start and can identify alterations in expression that could reflect response. Moreover, improved nucleic acid technology allows RNA to be extracted from practically every biofluid/matrix and evaluated with exceedingly high analytic sensitivity. In addition, samples are largely obtained by minimally invasive procedures and as such can be used serially to assess treatment response real-time. This chapter provides the reader insight on currently known RNA biomarkers, the latest research employing Artificial Intelligence in the identification of such molecules and in clinical decisions driving forward the era of personalized oncology.

Exploring the enigma: history, present, and future of long non-coding RNAs in cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are more than 200 nucleotides in length and do not encode proteins, play crucial roles in governing gene expression at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. These molecules demonstrate specific expression patterns in various tissues and developmental stages, suggesting their involvement in numerous developmental processes and diseases, notably cancer. Despite their widespread acknowledgment and the growing enthusiasm surrounding their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, the precise mechanisms through which lncRNAs function remain inadequately understood. A few lncRNAs have been studied in depth, providing valuable insights into their biological activities and suggesting emerging functional themes and mechanistic models. However, the extent to which the mammalian genome is transcribed into functional noncoding transcripts is still a matter of debate. This review synthesizes our current understanding of lncRNA biogenesis, their genomic contexts, and their multifaceted roles in tumorigenesis, highlighting their potential in cancer-targeted therapy. By exploring historical perspectives alongside recent breakthroughs, we aim to illuminate the diverse roles of lncRNA and reflect on the broader implications of their study for understanding genome evolution and function, as well as for advancing clinical applications.

The research progress on radiation resistance of cervical cancer

Cervical carcinoma is the most prevalent gynecology malignant tumor and ranks as the fourth most common cancer worldwide, thus posing a significant threat to the lives and health of women. Advanced and early-stage cervical carcinoma patients with high-risk factors require adjuvant treatment following surgery, with radiotherapy being the primary approach. However, the tolerance of cervical cancer to radiotherapy has become a major obstacle in its treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that radiation resistance in cervical cancer is closely associated with DNA damage repair pathways, the tumor microenvironment, tumor stem cells, hypoxia, cell cycle arrest, and epigenetic mechanisms, among other factors. The development of tumor radiation resistance involves complex interactions between multiple genes, pathways, and mechanisms, wherein each factor interacts through one or more signaling pathways. This paper provides an overview of research progress on an understanding of the mechanism underlying radiation resistance in cervical cancer.

A comprehensive review on the functional role of miRNA clusters in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) poses a significant health threat in women globally. MicroRNA clusters (MCs), comprising multiple miRNA-encoding genes, are pivotal in gene regulation. Various factors, including circular RNA and DNA methylation, govern MC expression. Dysregulated MC expression correlates strongly with CC development via promoting the acquisition of cancer hallmarks. Certain MCs show promise for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy selection due to their distinct expression patterns in normal, premalignant and tumor tissues. This review explains the regulation and biological functions of MCs and highlights the clinical relevance of abnormal MC expression in CC.

The role of long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in cervical cancer: modulating miRNA function

Cervical cancer (CC) is a primary global health concern, ranking as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Despite advancements in prognosis, long-term outcomes remained poor. Beyond HPV, cofactors like dietary deficiencies, immunosuppression, hormonal contraceptives, co-infections, and genetic variations are involved in CC progression. The pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, has brought to light the critical regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). The aberrant expression of these miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of CC. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the recent literature regarding the involvement of lncRNAs and circRNAs in modulating miRNA functions in cervical neoplasia and metastasis. Studies have shown that lncRNAs and circRNAs hold great potential as therapeutic agents and innovative biomarkers in CC. However, more clinical research is needed to advance our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of circRNAs and lncRNAs in CC.

Transcriptome-wide profiling identifies colon cancer-associated m6A transcripts and potential RNA methyl modifiers

BACKGROUND

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent and crucial RNA methylation modification that plays a significant role in various biological and pathological processes. The dysregulation of m6A has been linked to the initiation, progression, and metastasis of several cancer types, including colon cancer. The transcriptome of colon cancer indeed provides insight into dysregulated coding and non-coding RNAs, but it does not reveal the mechanisms, such as m6A modifications, that determine post-transcriptional and pre-translational regulations. This study using MeRIP sequencing aims to explain the distribution of m6A modification across altered gene expression and its association with colon cancer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The levels of m6A in different colon cancer cell lines were quantified and correlated with the expression of m6A modifiers such as writers, readers, and erasers. Our results showed that global m6A levels in colon cancer were associated with METTL14, YTHDF2, and YTHDC1. We performed Epi-transcriptome profiling of m6A in colon cancer cell lines using Methylated RNA Immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) sequencing. The differential methylation analysis revealed 7312 m6A regions among the colon cancer cell lines. Our findings indicated that the m6A RNA methylation modifications were mainly distributed in the last exonic and 3' untranslated regions. We also discovered that non-coding RNAs such as miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA carry m6A marks. Gene set enrichment and motif analysis suggested a strong association of m6A with post-transcriptional events, particularly splicing control. Overall, our study sheds light on the potential role of m6A in colon cancer and highlights the importance of further investigation in this area.

CONCLUSION

This study reports m6A enrichment in the last exonic regions and 3' UTRs of mRNA transcripts in colon cancer. METTL14, YTHDF2, and YTHDC1 were the most significant modifiers in colon cancer cells. The functions of m6A-modified genes were found to be RNA methylation and RNA capping. Overall, the study illustrates the transcriptome-wide distribution of m6A and its eminent role in mRNA splicing and translation control of colon cancer.

Defining new biomarkers for overcoming therapeutical resistance in cervical cancer using lncRNA

Despite improvements in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for cervical cancer patients remains dismal due to the development of drug resistance, metastasis, and invasion resulting leading to treatment failure. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA transcripts have been reported in mediating carcinogenesis as well as drug, and radio-resistance in tumor cells. These lncRNAs regulate various cancer hallmarks and contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance. They regulates multiple signalling pathways, recruits polycomb group, function as miRNA sponge and scaffolds. Additionally, lncRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cervical cancer. This comprehensive review outlines the biogenesis of lncRNA and its role in cancer development. It delves into the mechanisms through which various lncRNAs mediate chemoresistance and radioresistance in cervical cancer. By shedding into the light of mechanism, this review will also aids researchers in understanding lncRNAs as biomarkers and latest advancements in clinically targeting them with the help of Artificial Intelligence for overcoming chemoresistance and radioresistance, thereby improving cervical cancer treatment.

Review of possible mechanisms of radiotherapy resistance in cervical cancer

Radiotherapy is one of the main treatments for cervical cancer. Early cervical cancer is usually considered postoperative radiotherapy alone. Radiotherapy combined with cisplatin is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC), but sometimes the disease will relapse within a short time after the end of treatment. Tumor recurrence is usually related to the inherent radiation resistance of the tumor, mainly involving cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair, tumor microenvironment, tumor metabolism, and stem cells. In the past few decades, the mechanism of radiotherapy resistance of cervical cancer has been extensively studied, but due to its complex process, the specific mechanism of radiotherapy resistance of cervical cancer is still not fully understood. In this review, we discuss the current status of radiotherapy resistance in cervical cancer and the possible mechanisms of radiotherapy resistance, and provide favorable therapeutic targets for improving radiotherapy sensitivity. In conclusion, this article describes the importance of understanding the pathway and target of radioresistance for cervical cancer to promote the development of effective radiotherapy sensitizers.

Long non-coding RNAs as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. The detection of oncopathologies in the early stages of development is a paramount task of modern medicine, which can be solved only by improving modern diagnostic methods. The use of screening for certain tumor markers could complement modern tests such as testing for oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV), cytology, colposcopy with acetic acid and iodine solutions. Such highly informative biomarkers can be long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are highly specific compared to the mRNA profile and are involved in the regulation of gene expression. LncRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs molecules that are typically over 200 nucleotides in length. LncRNAs may be involved in the regulation of all major cellular processes, including proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, signaling pathways, and apoptosis. LncRNAs molecules are highly stable due to their small size, which is also their undoubted advantage. The study of individual lncRNAs as regulators of the expression of genes involved in the mechanisms of oncogenesis cervical cancer can be not only of great diagnostic value, but, as a result, of therapeutic significance in cervical cancer patients. This review article will present the characteristics of lncRNAs that allow them to be used as accurate diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as to consider them as effective therapeutic targets in cervical cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs as critical regulators and novel targets in cervical cancer: current status and future perspectives

Cervical cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. In spite of vaccine availability, improved screening procedures, and chemoradiation therapy, cervical cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 23 countries and the leading cause of cancer deaths in 36 countries. There is, therefore, a need to come up with novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a remarkable role in genome regulation and contribute significantly to several developmental and disease pathways. The deregulation of lncRNAs is often observed in cancer patients, where they are shown to affect multiple cellular processes, including cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion. Many lncRNAs are found to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as progression of cervical cancer and have shown potency to track metastatic events. This review provides an overview of lncRNA mediated regulation of cervical carcinogenesis and highlights their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for cervical cancer. In addition, it also discusses the challenges associated with the clinical implication of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

A comprehensive overview of exosome lncRNAs: Emerging biomarkers and potential therapeutics in gynecological cancers

Ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer are common gynecologic malignancies, and their incidence is increasing year after year, with a younger patient population at risk. An exosome is a tiny “teacup-like” blister that can be secreted by most cells, is highly concentrated and easily enriched in body fluids, and contains a large number of lncRNAs carrying some biological and genetic information that can be stable for a long time and is not affected by ribonuclease catalytic activity. As a cell communication tool, exosome lncRNA has the advantages of high efficiency and high targeting. Changes in serum exosome lncRNA expression in cancer patients can accurately reflect the malignant biological behavior of cancer cells. Exosome lncRNA has been shown in studies to have broad application prospects in cancer diagnosis, monitoring cancer recurrence or progression, cancer treatment, and prognosis. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reference for clinical research on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of gynecologic malignant tumors by reviewing the role of exosome lncRNA in gynecologic cancers and related molecular mechanisms.

Molecular mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs associated with cervical cancer radiosensitivity

Despite advances in cervical cancer screening and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines, cervical cancer remains a global health burden. The standard treatment of cervical cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy (RT) is the primary treatment for advanced-stage disease. However, due to radioresistance, most patients in the advanced stage have an adverse outcome. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the regulation of cancer radiosensitivity by regulating DNA damage repair, apoptosis, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs in cervical cancer and radiosensitivity, hoping to provide a theoretical basis and a new molecular target for the cervical cancer RT in the clinic.

Long Non-Coding RNA GAS5 Promotes BAX Expression by Competing with microRNA-128-3p in Response to 5-Fluorouracil

The acquisition of drug resistance is a major hurdle for effective cancer treatment. Although several efforts have been made to overcome drug resistance, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) in drug resistance. GAS5 was found to be downregulated in colon cancer cell lines that are resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Downregulation of GAS5 decreased the viability of HCT116 cells and the level of the pro-apoptotic BAX protein, while GAS5 overexpression promoted cell death in response to 5-FU. The interaction between GAS5 and BAX mRNA was investigated using MS2-tagged RNA affinity purification (MS2-trap) followed by RT-qPCR, and the results showed that GAS5 bound to the 3'-untranslated region of BAX mRNA and enhanced its expression by interfering with the inhibitory effect of microRNA-128-3p, a negative regulator of BAX. In addition, ectopic expression of GAS5 increased the sensitivity of resistant cells in response to anti-cancer drugs. These results suggest that GAS5 promoted cell death by interfering with miR-128-3p-mediated BAX downregulation. Therefore, GAS5 overexpression in chemo-resistant cancer cells may be a potential strategy to improve the anti-cancer efficacy of drugs.

Construction and validation of a novel apoptosis-associated prognostic signature related to osteosarcoma metastasis and immune infiltration

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Osteosarcoma is one of the most aggressive diseases which often develops metastasis.

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Apoptosis relates to the recurrence and metastasis of osteosarcoma and the related signature could predict the prognosis of patients.

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A novel apoptosis-associated prognosis signature related to osteosarcoma metastasis and immune infiltration has been developed.

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The signature could help to predict the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients and serve as the potential targets for anti-cancer treatment.

Background

Apoptosis played vital roles in the formation and progression of osteosarcoma. However, no studies elucidated the prognostic relationships between apoptosis-associated genes (AAGs) and osteosarcoma.

Methods

The differentially expressed genes associated with osteosarcoma metastasis and apoptosis were identified from GEO and MSigDB databases. The apoptosis-associated prognostic signature was established through univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses. The Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival curve, ROC curve and nomogram were constructed to investigate the predictive value of this signature. CIBERSORT algorithm and ssGSEA were used to explore the relationships between immune infiltration and AAG signature. The above results were validated in another GEO dataset and the expression of AAGs was also validated in osteosarcoma patient samples by immunohistochemistry.

Results

HSPB1 and IER3 were involved in AAG signature. In training and validation datasets, apoptosis-associated risk scores were negatively related to patient survival rates and the AAG signature was regarded as the independent prognostic factor. ROC and calibration curves demonstrated the signature and nomogram were reliable. GSEA revealed the signature related to immune-associated pathways. ssGSEA indicated that one immune cell and three immune functions were significantly dysregulated. The immunohistochemistry analyses of patients’ samples revealed that AAGs were significantly differently expressed between metastasis and non-metastasis osteosarcomas.

Conclusions

The present study identified and validated a novel apoptosis-associated prognostic signature related to osteosarcoma metastasis. It could serve as the potential biomarker and therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma in the future.

Research Progress of Long Non-Coding RNA GAS5 in Malignant Tumors

With completing the whole genome sequencing project, awareness of lncRNA further deepened. The growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) was initially identified in growth-inhibiting cells. GAS5 is a lncRNA (long non-coding RNA), and it plays a crucial role in various human cancers. There are small ORFs (open reading frames) in the exons of the GAS5 gene sequence, but they do not encode functional proteins. In addition, GAS5 is also the host gene of several small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA). These snoRNAs are believed to play a suppressive role during tumor progression by methylating ribosomal RNA (rRNA). As a result, GAS5 expression levels in tumor tissues are significantly reduced, leading to increased malignancy, poor prognosis, and drug resistance. Recent studies have demonstrated that GAS5 can interact with miRNAs by base-pairing and other functional proteins to inhibit their biological functions, impacting signaling pathways and changing the level of intracellular autophagy, oxidative stress, and immune cell function in vivo. In addition, GAS5 participates in regulating proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis through the above molecular mechanisms. This article reviews the recent discoveries on GAS5, including its expression levels in different tumors, its biological behavior, and its molecular regulation mechanism in human cancers. The value of GAS5 as a molecular marker in the prevention and treatment of cancers is also discussed.

Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in the Therapeutic Response in Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review

Cervical cancer is a common female cancer, with nearly 600,000 cases and more than 300,000 deaths worldwide every year. From a clinical point of view, surgery plays a key role in early cancer management, whereas advanced stages are treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation as adjuvant therapies. Nevertheless, predicting the degree of cancer response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy at diagnosis in order to personalize the clinical approach represents the biggest challenge in locally advanced cancers. The feasibility of such predictive models has been repeatedly assessed using histopathological factors, imaging and nuclear methods, tissue and fluid scans, however with poor results. In this context, the identification of novel potential biomarkers remains an unmet clinical need, and microRNAs (miRNAs) represent an interesting opportunity. With this in mind, the aim of this systematic review was to map the current literature on tumor and circulating miRNAs identified as significantly associated with the therapeutic response in cervical cancer; finally, a perspective point of view sheds light on the challenges ahead in this tumor.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO (CRD42021277980).

Tumor Suppressive Effects of GAS5 in Cancer Cells

In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important regulatory roles in cellular processes. Growth arrests specific transcript 5 (GAS5) is a lncRNA that is highly expressed during the cell cycle arrest phase but is downregulated in actively growing cells. Growth arrests specific transcript 5 was discovered to be downregulated in several cancers, primarily solid tumors, and it is known as a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis via multiple molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, GAS5 polymorphism was found to affect GAS5 expression and functionality in a cell-specific manner. This review article focuses on GAS5’s tumor-suppressive effects in regulating oncogenic signaling pathways, cell cycle, apoptosis, tumor-associated genes, and treatment-resistant cells. We also discussed genetic polymorphisms of GAS5 and their association with cancer susceptibility.

The Role of LncRNAs in the Regulation of Radiotherapy Sensitivity in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the three majors gynecological malignancies, which seriously threatens women’s health and life. Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the most common treatments for cervical cancer, which can reduce local recurrence and prolong survival in patients with cervical cancer. However, the resistance of cancer cells to Radiotherapy are the main cause of treatment failure in patients with cervical cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are a group of non-protein-coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides, which play an important role in regulating the biological behavior of cervical cancer. Recent studies have shown that LncRNAs play a key role in regulating the sensitivity of radiotherapy for cervical cancer. In this review, we summarize the structure and function of LncRNAs and the molecular mechanism of radiosensitivity in cervical cancer, list the LncRNAs associated with radiosensitivity in cervical cancer, analyze their potential mechanisms, and discuss the potential clinical application of these LncRNAs in regulating radiosensitivity in cervical cancer.

IVIM-DWI and MRI-based radiomics in cervical cancer: Prediction of concurrent chemoradiotherapy sensitivity in combination with clinical prognostic factors

PURPOSE

To identify the feasibility and value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics combined with clinical prognostic factors (CPF) in predicting concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) sensitivity of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 163 patients (assigned to training or test groups) who underwent conventional MRI and IVIM-DWI before CCRT were divided into sensitive and resistant groups according to their efficacy at 6 months after CCRT. Per-treatment IVIM-DWI parameters (ADC, D, D^⁎ and f value), 3D texture features (from axial T₂WI) and CPF were measured, analyzed and screened. The prediction model and its nomogram were developed by combining screened parameters and then validated internally and externally.

RESULTS

Clinical stage, f value, D value, InverseVariance, SizeZoneNonUniformity, and Minimum were selected to construct prediction model. All parameters except D value showed independent diagnostic value in multivariate Logistic regression analysis and composed prediction model, with AUCs of 0.987 and 0.984 for training and test groups, respectively. The calibration curve (Brier score of 0.042, C-index of 0.987), decision curve and clinical impact curve further demonstrated the reliability and clinical value of prediction model.

CONCLUSION

IVIM-DWI, MRI-based radiomics and CPF showed high clinical value in predicting CCRT sensitivity for LACC with better predictive performance when combined.

The Mechanism of Long Non-coding RNA in Cancer Radioresistance/Radiosensitivity: A Systematic Review

Background and purpose: Radioresistance remains a significant challenge in tumor therapy. This systematic review aims to demonstrate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in cancer radioresistance/radiosensitivity.

Material and methods: The electronic databases Pubmed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched from January 2000 to December 2021 to identify studies addressing the mechanisms of lncRNAs in tumor radioresistance/sensitivity, each of which required both in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Results: Among the 87 studies identified, lncRNAs were implicated in tumor radioresistance/sensitivity mainly in three paradigms. 1) lncRNAs act on microRNA (miRNA) by means of a sponge, and their downstream signals include some specific molecular biological processes (DNA repair and chromosome stabilization, mRNA or protein stabilization, cell cycle and proliferation, apoptosis-related pathways, autophagy-related pathways, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cellular energy metabolism) and some signaling mediators (transcription factors, kinases, some important signal transduction pathways) that regulate various biological processes. 2) lncRNAs directly interact with proteins, affecting the cell cycle and autophagy to contribute to tumor radioresistance. 3) lncRNAs act like transcription factors to initiate downstream signaling pathways and participate in tumor radioresistance.

Conclusion: lncRNAs are important regulators involved in tumor radioresistance\sensitivity. Different lncRNAs may participate in the radioresistance with the same regulatory paradigm, and the same lncRNAs may also participate in the radioresistance in different ways. Future research should focus more on comprehensively characterizing the mechanisms of lncRNAs in tumor radioresistance to help us identify corresponding novel biomarkers and develop new lncRNA-based methods to improve radioresistance.

New therapy strategies in the management of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths after lung cancer, is the most common cancer type among women worldwide. BC comprises multiple subtypes based on molecular properties. Depending on the type of BC, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are the current systemic treatment options along with conventional chemotherapy. Several new molecular targets, miRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have been discovered over the past few decades and are powerful potential therapeutic targets. Here, we review advanced therapeutics as new players in BC management.

Exploring clinical implications and role of non-coding RNAs in lung carcinogenesis

Lung cancer is the utmost familiar category of cancer with greatest fatality rate worldwide and several regulatory mechanisms exercise cellular control on critical oncogenic trails implicated in lung associated carcinogenesis. The non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are shown to play a variety of regulatory roles, including stimulating cell proliferation, inhibiting programmed cell death, enhancing cancer cell metastatic ability and acquiring resistance to drugs. Furthermore, ncRNAs exhibit tissue-specific expression as well as great stability in bodily fluids. As a consequence, they are strong contenders for cancer based theragnostics. microRNA (miRNA) alters gene expression primarily by either degrading or interfering with the translation of targeted mRNA and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can influence gene expression by targeting transcriptional activators or repressors, RNA polymers and even DNA-duplex. lncRNAs are typically found to be dysregulated in lung cancer and hence targeting ncRNAs could be a viable strategy for developing potential therapies as well as for overcoming chemoresistance in lung cancer. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the role of ncRNAs, revisiting the recent studies in lung cancer.

Stress Responses as Master Keys to Epigenomic Changes in Transcriptome and Metabolome for Cancer Etiology and Therapeutics

From initiation through progression, cancer cells are subjected to a magnitude of endogenous and exogenous stresses, which aid in their neoplastic transformation. Exposure to these classes of stress induces imbalance in cellular homeostasis and, in response, cancer cells employ informative adaptive mechanisms to rebalance biochemical processes that facilitate survival and maintain their existence. Different kinds of stress stimuli trigger epigenetic alterations in cancer cells, which leads to changes in their transcriptome and metabolome, ultimately resulting in suppression of growth inhibition or induction of apoptosis. Whether cancer cells show a protective response to stress or succumb to cell death depends on the type of stress and duration of exposure. A thorough understanding of epigenetic and molecular architecture of cancer cell stress response pathways can unveil a plethora of information required to develop novel anticancer therapeutics. The present view highlights current knowledge about alterations in epigenome and transcriptome of cancer cells as a consequence of exposure to different physicochemical stressful stimuli such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypoxia, radiation, hyperthermia, genotoxic agents, and nutrient deprivation. Currently, an anticancer treatment scenario involving the imposition of stress to target cancer cells is gaining traction to augment or even replace conventional therapeutic regimens. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of stress response pathways is crucial for devising and implementing novel therapeutic strategies.

STAT1 mediated long non-coding RNA LINC00504 influences radio-sensitivity of breast cancer via binding to TAF15 and stabilizing CPEB2 expression

Radiotherapy plays important roles in the treatment of breast cancer (BC), which develops from malignant cells in the breast. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be implicated in radio-resistance or radio-sensitivity of human cancer, which includes breast cancer. Nevertheless, long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 0504 (LINC00504) has not been investigated in BC. In our study, from RT-qPCR analysis, LINC00504 was found to be up-regulated in BC cells. By conducting in vitro assays, it was confirmed that the knockdown of LINC00504 could enhance the radio-sensitivity of BC cells. The regulatory mechanism of LINC00504 in BC was also verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase reporter assays. From the experimental results, we knew that the up-regulation of LINC00504 was mediated by signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Moreover, LINC00504 stabilized the expression of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 2 (CPEB2) via binding to TATA-box binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15). Furthermore, rescue assays validated that LINC00504 participated in regulating the radio-sensitivity of BC cells via up-regulating CPEB2. In summary, our study disclosed that STAT1 could mediate LINC00504 and weaken the radio-sensitivity of BC cells via binding to TAF15 and stabilizing CPEB2 expression.

Molecular Markers to Predict Prognosis and Treatment Response in Uterine Cervical Cancer

Uterine cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Each year, over half a million new cases are estimated, resulting in more than 300,000 deaths. While less-invasive, fertility-preserving surgical procedures can be offered to women in early stages, treatment for locally advanced disease may include radical hysterectomy, primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or a combination of these modalities. Concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy regimens remain the first-line treatments for locally advanced cervical cancer. Despite achievements such as the introduction of angiogenesis inhibitors, and more recently immunotherapies, the overall survival of women with persistent, recurrent or metastatic disease has not been extended significantly in the last decades. Furthermore, a broad spectrum of molecular markers to predict therapy response and survival and to identify patients with high- and low-risk constellations is missing. Implementation of these markers, however, may help to further improve treatment and to develop new targeted therapies. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the complex mechanisms of cervical cancer pathogenesis within the context of molecular markers for predicting treatment response and prognosis.

MiR-106b-5p Promotes Malignant Behaviors of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells by Targeting TIMP2

The objective of this study was to investigate modulatory mechanism of miR-106b-5p and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) on cervical squamous cell carcinoma cells. Differentially expressed genes in CSCC were analyzed via bioinformatics analysis. The targeting impact of miR-106b-5p on TIMP2 was validated through dual-luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. MiR-106b-5p level and TIMP2 mRNA level were assessed via qRT-PCR. TIMP2 protein level was measured via western blot. Malignant behaviors of CSCC cells were evaluated by functional experiments. The EMT and apoptosis-related proteins were determined via western blot. MiR-106b-5p was noticeably elevated in CSCC cells. Its downstream target was TIMP2. MiR-106b-5p and TIMP2 levels were inversely correlated. MiR-106b-5p overexpression fostered malignant phenotypes of CSCC cells, and vice versus. TIMP2 overexpression weakened the promotive impact of forced expression of miR-106b-5p on CSCC cell growth. EMT was facilitated by forced expression of miR-106b-5p. MiR-106b-5p regulates the progression of CSCC cells via targeting TIMP2, which may provide novel value for development of therapeutic targets for CSCC.

Circulating miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Introduction

Disease recurrence is a major concern in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) following treatment with radiotherapy (RT), and few studies have evaluated the clinical relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) prior and post-RT.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the significance of miRNAs in the outcomes of prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and to identify the related pathways through bioinformatics analysis.

Materials and Methods

The expression levels of miR-21, miR-106b, miR-141 and miR-375 involved in the response to radiotherapy were assessed by RT-qPCR in the serum of PCa patients (n=56) prior- and post-RT.

Results

Low expression levels of miR-106b prior-RT were associated with extracapsular extension and seminal vesicles invasion by the tumor (p=0.031 and 0.044, respectively). In the high-risk subgroup (n=47), post-RT expression levels of miR-21 were higher in patients with biochemical relapse (BR) compared to non-relapse (p=0.043). Also, in the salvage treatment subgroup (post-operative BR; n=20), post-RT expression levels of miR-21 and miR-106b were higher in patients with BR compared to non-relapse (p=0.043 and p=0.032, respectively). In the whole group of patients, high expression levels of miR-21 prior-RT and of miR-106b post-RT were associated with significantly shorter overall survival (OS; p=0.049 and p=0.050, respectively). No associations were observed among miR-141 and miR-375 expression levels with clinicopathological features or treatment outcome. Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant enrichment in DNA damage response pathways.

Conclusion

Circulating miRNAs prior or post-RT may hold prognostic implications in patients with PCa.

Long-chain noncoding RNA-GAS5/hsa-miR-138-5p attenuates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte damage by targeting CYP11B2

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the complications experienced by patients with diabetes. In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been investigated because of their role in the progression of various diseases, including DCM. The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of lncRNA GAS5 in high glucose (HG)-induced cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We constructed HG-induced AC16 cardiomyocytes and a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetes model. GAS5 was overexpressed and knocked out at the cellular level, and GAS5 was knocked down by lentiviruses at the animal level to observe its effect on myocardial injury. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of GAS5. Cell proliferation and apoptosis after GAS5 knockout were detected by CCK-8, TUNEL, and flow cytometry assays. ELISA was used to detect the changes in myocardial enzyme content in cells and animal myocardial tissues during the action of GAS5 on myocardial injury.

RESULTS

GAS5 expression was up-regulated in HG-treated AC16 cardiomyocytes and the rat diabetic myocardial injury model. The down-regulation of GAS5 could inhibit HG-induced myocardial damage. This work proved that the down-regulation of GAS5 could reverse cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis by targeting miR-138 to down-regulate CYP11B2.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed for the first time that the down-regulation of GAS5 could reverse CYP11B2 via the miR-138 axis to reverse HG-induced cardiomyocyte injury. This research might provide a new direction for explaining the developmental mechanism of DCM and potential targets for the treatment of myocardial injury.

MYBL2-induced PITPNA-AS1 upregulates SIK2 to exert oncogenic function in triple-negative breast cancer through miR-520d-5p and DDX54

Background

In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted much attention because of its regulatory role in occurrence and progression of tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). LncRNA PITPNA antisense RNA 1 (PITPNA-AS1) has been explored in some cancers, whereas its function and molecular mechanism in TNBC remain unclear.

Methods

PITPNA-AS1 expression in TNBC tissues and cells was determined by RT-qPCR. TNBC cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion were assessed with CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, transwell assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Expression of EMT-related markers was detected by western blot analyses. The molecular mechanism of PITPNA-AS1 was explored by RNA pull down, luciferase reporter, RIP and ChIP assays.

Results

PITPNA-AS1 showed high expression levels in TNBC tissues and cells. PITPNA-AS1 knockdown suppressed TNBC cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion in vitro and inhibited xenograft tumor growth in mice. Mechanistically, PITPNA-AS1 upregulated SIK2 expression by sponging miR-520d-5p and recruiting DDX54 protein. Results of rescue assays suggested that the inhibitive effects of silenced PITPNA-AS1 on TNBC cellular processes were partially rescued by overexpressing SIK2 or combination of miR-520d-5p inhibition and DDX54 overexpression. More importantly, we found that the upregulation of PITPNA-AS1 in TNBC cells was attributed to transcription factor MYBL2.

Conclusion

PITPNA-AS1 activated by MYBL2 plays an oncogenic role in TNBC through upregulating SIK2.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02956-6.

LncRNA MORT (ZNF667-AS1) in Cancer-Is There a Possible Role in Gynecological Malignancies?

Gynecological cancers (GCs) are currently among the major threats to female health. Moreover, there are different histologic subtypes of these cancers, which are defined as ‘rare’ due to an annual incidence of <6 per 100,000 women. The majority of these tend to be associated with a poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the normal development of organisms as well as in tumorigenesis. LncRNAs can be classified into tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes, depending on their function within the cellular context and the signaling pathways in which they are involved. These regulatory RNAs are potential therapeutic targets for cancer due to their tissue and tumor specificity. However, there still needs to be a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which lncRNAs are involved in the regulation of numerous biological functions in humans, both in normal health and disease. The lncRNA Mortal Obligate RNA Transcript (MORT; alias ZNF667-AS1) has been identified as a tumor-related lncRNA. ZNF667-AS1 gene, located in the human chromosome region 19q13.43, has been shown to be silenced by DNA hypermethylation in several cancers. In this review, we report on the biological functions of ZNF667-AS1 from recent studies and describe the regulatory functions of ZNF667-AS1 in human disease, including cancer. Furthermore, we discuss the emerging insights into the potential role of ZNF667-AS1 as a biomarker and novel therapeutic target in cancer, including GCs (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers).

Long and short non-coding RNA and radiation response: a review

Once thought of as arising from "junk DNA," noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key molecules in cellular processes and response to stress. From diseases such as cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes to the effects of ionizing radiation (IR), ncRNAs play important roles in disease progression and as biomarkers of damage. Noncoding RNAs regulate cellular processes by competitively binding DNA, mRNA, proteins, and other ncRNAs. Through these interactions, specific ncRNAs can modulate the radiosensitivity of cells and serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of radiation damage, whether from incidental exposure in radiotherapy or in accidental exposure scenarios. Analysis of RNA expression after radiation exposure has shown alterations not only in mRNAs, but also in ncRNAs (primarily miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA), implying an important role in cellular stress response. Due to their abundance and stability in serum and other biofluids, ncRNAs also have great potential as minimally invasive biomarkers with advantages over current biodosimetry methods. Several studies have examined changes in ncRNA expression profiles in response to IR and other forms of oxidative stress. Furthermore, some studies have reported modulation of radiosensitivity by altering expression levels of these ncRNAs. This review discusses the roles of ncRNAs in the radiation response and evaluates prior research on ncRNAs as biomarkers of radiation damage. Future directions and applications of ncRNAs in radiation research are introduced, including the potential for a clinical ncRNA assay for assessing radiation damage and for the therapeutic use of RNA interference (RNAi).

Long Non-Coding RNA LINC00313 Accelerates Cervical Carcinoma Progression by miR-4677-3p/CDK6 Axis

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecologic tumors. Evidence is accumulating that long non-coding RNAs participate in the pathogenesis of cancers, but the expression and role of lncRNA LINC00313 in cervical carcinoma is not reported.

Methods

We measured the expression levels of LINC00313 in clinical samples of cervical carcinoma and investigated the function of LINC00313 in the regulation of proliferation, metastasis, and EMT. Luciferase reporter assay was employed to explore the molecular regulation process of LINC00313.

Results

Our data showed that the levels of LINC00313 in cervical carcinoma tissues and cells were significantly up-regulated. Functionally, LINC00313 accelerated the progression, migration, and EMT of SiHa and Hela cells. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-4677-3p/CDK6 regulatory axis is the direct downstream of LINC00313. Functional gain- and loss-of-function strategies further showed that LINC00313 induced the up-regulation of CDK6 expression through competitive binding with miR-4677-3p, leading to promote the progression of cervical carcinoma.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that LINC00313 accelerated the progression of cervical cancer through the miR-4677-3p/CDK6 regulatory axis. LncRNA LINC00313 may serve as a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical carcinoma.

The Role of microRNAs in the Cisplatin- and Radio-Resistance of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. The chemotherapeutical agent cisplatin, a small platinum-based compound, is considered as the standard therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer or recurrent cancers, sometimes in combination with radiotherapy or other drugs. However, drug resistance and radio-resistance phenomena could reduce the life expectancy of cervical cancer patients. Resistance mechanisms are complex and often involve multiple cellular pathways in which microRNAs (miRNAs) play a fundamental role. miRNAs are a class of endogenous non-coding small RNAs responsible for post-transcriptional gene regulation. Convincing evidence demonstrates that several deregulated miRNAs are important regulators in the onset of drug and radioresistance in cervical cancer, thus underlying their potential applications in a clinical setting. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which miRNAs affect both cisplatin and radioresistance in cervical cancer. We also described the regulatory loops between miRNAs and lncRNAs promoting drug resistance. Besides, we reported evidence for the role of miRNAs in sensitizing cancer cells to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and provided some suggestions for the development of new combined therapies for cervical cancer.

Emerging role of non-coding RNAs in response of cancer cells to radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is an effective method for treatment of a large proportion of human cancers. Yet, the efficacy of this method is precluded by the induction of radioresistance in tumor cells and the radiation-associated injury of normal cells surrounding the field of radiation. These restrictions necessitate the introduction of modalities for either radiosensitization of cancer cells or protection of normal cells against adverse effects of radiation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have essential roles in the determination of radiosensitivity. Moreover, ncRNAs can modulate radiation-induced side effects in normal cells. Several microRNAs (miRNAs) such as miR-620, miR-21 and miR-96-5p confer radioresistance, while other miRNAs including miR-340/ 429 confer radiosensitivity. The expression levels of a number of miRNAs are associated with radiation-induced complications such as lung fibrosis or oral mucositis. The expression patterns of several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) such as MALAT1, LINC00630, HOTAIR, UCA1 and TINCR are associated with response to radiotherapy. Taken together, lncRNAs and miRNAs contribute both in modulation of response of cancer cells to radiotherapy and in protection of normal cells from the associated side effects. The current review provides an overview of the roles of these transcripts in these aspects.

LncRNA SNHG12 regulates the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer through the miR-148a/CDK1 pathway

Background

Radiation resistance is a major obstacle to the prognosis of cervical cancer (CC) patients. Many studies have confirmed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of radiosensitivity of cancers. However, whether small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) regulates the radiosensitivity of CC remains unknown.

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression levels of SNHG12 and microRNA-148a (miR-148a). The radiosensitivity of cells was evaluated by clonogenic assay. Flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay were performed to assess the apoptosis ability and cell cycle distribution of cells. Besides, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were used to verify the interaction between miR-148a and SNHG12 or cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Also, the protein levels of CDK1, CCND1 and γ-H2AX were detected by western blot analysis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments were conducted to verify the effect of SNHG12 on CC tumor growth. Ki-67 and TUNEL staining were employed to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis rates in vivo. The hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were employed to evaluate the tumor cell morphology.

Results

SNHG12 was upregulated in CC tissues and cells, and its knockdown improved the radiosensitivity by promoting the radiation-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of CC cells. Also, miR-148a could be sponged by SNHG12 and could target CDK1. MiR-148a inhibitor or CDK1 overexpression could invert the promotion effect of silenced-SNHG12 on CC radiosensitivity. Meanwhile, SNHG12 interference reduced the tumor growth of CC, increased miR-148a expression, and inhibited CDK1 level in vivo.

Conclusion

LncRNA SNHG12 promoted CDK1 expression to regulate the sensitivity of CC cells to radiation through sponging miR-148a, indicating that SNHG12 could be used as a potential biomarker to treat the radiotherapy resistance of CC patients.

Molecular landscape of recurrent cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is a major gynecological problem in developing and underdeveloped countries. Despite the significant advancement in early detection and treatment modalities, several patients recur. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms responsible for CC recurrence remains obscure. The patients with CC recurrence often show poor prognosis and significantly high mortality rates. The clinical management of recurrent CC depends on treatment history, site, and extent of the recurrence. Owing to poor prognosis and limited treatment options, recurrent CC often presents a challenge to the clinicians. Several in vitro, in vivo, and patient studies have led to the identification of the critical molecular changes responsible for CC recurrence. Both aberrant genetic and epigenetic modifications leading to altered cell signaling pathways have been reported to impact CC recurrence. Researchers are currently trying to dissect the molecular pathways in CC and translate these findings for better management of disease. This article attempts to review the existing knowledge of disease relapse, accompanying challenges, and associated molecular players in CC.

Knockdown of LINC00473 promotes radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells via sponging miR-513a-3p

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer. Radioresistance is a significant obstacle in NSCLC radiotherapy. Long non-coding RNA LINC00473 has been found to impact the radiotherapy in several malignant tumours. This study aimed to investigate the underlying role and mechanism of LINC00473 in regulating radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells. The levels of LINC00473 and miR-513a-3p were measured by quantitative Real-Time PCR. The relationship of LINC00473 with overall survival was tested by the Kaplan-Meier method. The effects of LINC00473 on cell viability and cell survival were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony survival assay in NSCLC cells exposed to different doses of radiation. A luciferase reporter assay was used to investigate the correlation between LINC00473 and miR-513a-3p. The present study showed that the relative LINC00473 expression was upregulated and miR-513a-3p expression was downregulated in radioresistant NSCLC patients compared with radiosensitive patients. And upregulated LINC00473 expression was associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients after radiotherapy. Radiation led to an increase in LINC00473 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The knockdown of LINC00473 markedly promoted radiosensitivity in NSCLC cells under different doses of radiation. LINC00473 was a sponge of miR-513a-3p and negatively regulated the miR-513a-3p expression. In conclusion, the inhibition of miR-513a-3p markedly reversed the promoted effect of LINC00473 knockdown on cell radiosensitivity. LINC00473 inhibition enhances radiosensitivity of NSCLC by sponging miR-513a-3p, providing a promising therapeutic target to increase the sensitivity of radiotherapy in NSCLC patients.

The Non-Coding RNA GAS5 and Its Role in Tumor Therapy-Induced Resistance

The growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) is a >200-nt lncRNA molecule that regulates several cellular functions, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, across different types of human cancers. Here, we reviewed the current literature on the expression of GAS5 in leukemia, cervical, breast, ovarian, prostate, urinary bladder, lung, gastric, colorectal, liver, osteosarcoma and brain cancers, as well as its interaction with various miRNAs and its effect on therapy-related resistance in these malignancies. The general consensus is that GAS5 acts as a tumor suppressor across different tumor types and that its up-regulation results in tumor sensitization to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. GAS5 seems to play a previously unappreciated, but significant role in tumor therapy-induced resistance.

LncRNA GAS5 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and viability of glioma cells by targeting microRNA-106b and regulating PTEN expression

LncRNA growth arrest special 5 (GAS5) and microRNA-106b (miR-106b) have been reported to be involved in the regulation of gliomas. However, their precise mechanisms in regulating the progression and development of gliomas remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the interaction between GAS5 and miR-106b, and their influence on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gliomas cells. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were applied for measuring expression of protein and mRNA, respectively. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells were measured by MTT, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was applied for confirming the binding site between miR-106b and GAS5, miR-106b and PTEN. Significant higher expression of miR-106b, and lower expression of GAS5 and PTEN in the glioma tissues were observed. The binding sites between GAS5 and miR-106b, miR-106b and PTEN were identified. GAS5 could regulate the expression of PTEN through targeting miR-106b, and further influence EMT process, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gliomas cells. Meanwhile, PTEN could remarkably inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells. The influence of PTEN on glioma cells and EMT was similar to GAS5. GAS5 could regulate the EMT process, and the migration of gliomas cells through miR-106b targeting PTEN. Therefore, our findings may provide a new thought for the study of pathogenesis and treatment of glioma.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cervical carcinogenesis: New molecular targets, current prospects

Aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been seen as a key factor in a wide range of diseases including cancer. The role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer has not been clearly explained, and has been the subject of recent studies. In this review, we have compiled an updated list of previously reported lncRNAs and established a general profile of these transcripts in accordance with the role they play in cervical carcinogenesis. Thus, information here includes the influence of lncRNAs on cervical tumorigenic process through a disturbance of cellular activities. Additionally, we described recent discoveries about how HPV contributes to lncRNAs expression in cervical cancer and we summarized exploratory studies of strategies adopted to modulate the expression levels of lncRNAs to treat cervical neoplasia, by drawing attention to radio and chemo-resistance. Finally, this paper provides a broad overview that sets out new research directions about the role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

Long Non-Coding RNA GAS5 Suppresses Tumor Progression and Enhances the Radiosensitivity of Prostate Cancer Through the miR-320a/RAB21 Axis

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as a class of significant mediators in prostate cancer (PCa), and this study mainly discussed the molecular mechanism of lncRNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) in PCa progression and radiosensitivity.

Materials and Methods

GAS5 and microRNA-320a (miR-320a) levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability and migration were severally examined through 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assays. PCa cells were treated with X-ray irradiation. Cell survival and apoptosis rate were assayed using colony formation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The apoptosis-related protein and Rab GTPase 21 (RAB21) protein levels were measured by Western blot. The relation between miR-320a and GAS5 or RAB21 was assessed via the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effect of GAS5 on radiosensitivity of PCa in vivo was evaluated by xenotransplantation assay.

Results

GAS5 was down-regulated in PCa tissues and cells. GAS5 overexpression suppressed cell viability and migration while facilitated radiosensitivity of PCa cells. GAS5 was a molecular sponge of miR-320a. The effects of GAS5 up-regulation on PCa cells were accomplished by sponging miR-320a. MiR-320a targeted RAB21 and GAS5 up-regulated RAB21 expression via targeting miR-320a. RAB21 knockdown reversed the effects of miR-320a inhibition on PCa cells. GAS5 promoted the radiosensitivity of PCa by the miR-320a/RAB21 axis in vivo.

Conclusion

Collectively, GAS5 restrained tumor development and expedited the radiosensitivity in PCa by the miR-320a/RAB21 axis, which provided a molecular regulatory mechanism of GAS5/miR-320a/RAB21 in PCa development and radioresistance.

Linc-RA1 inhibits autophagy and promotes radioresistance by preventing H2Bub1/USP44 combination in glioma cells

Radiotherapy is one of the standard treatments for glioma patients; however, its clinical efficacy is limited by radioresistance. We identified a mechanism of such resistance mediated by linc-RA1 (radioresistance-associated long intergenic noncoding RNA 1). Linc-RA1 was upregulated in radioresistant glioma cells and glioma tissue samples, compared with radiosensitive cells and nontumor tissues. Linc-RA1 was associated with inferior overall survival and advanced clinical stage of glioma. Linc-RA1 promoted glioma radioresistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, linc-RA1 stabilized the level of H2B K120 monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) by combining with H2B and inhibiting the interaction between H2Bub1 and ubiquitin-specific protease 44 (USP44), which inhibited autophagy, thus contributing to glioma radioresistance. These results reveal that linc-RA1-mediated autophagy is a key mechanism of radioresistance and is an actionable target for improving radiotherapy efficacy in patients with glioma.

Long Noncoding RNA SNHG7 Accelerates Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Suppressing miR-181a-5p Through AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Purpose

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a typical epithelial lung cancer with high metastasis, incidence and mortality. In recent years, long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) has been identified as significant regulator in different cancer types, including NSCLC. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of SNHG7 during NSCLC tumorigenesis and progression remains largely unclear.

Methods

SNHG7 and miR-181a-5p expression in NSCLC tumors and cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8, transwell and flow cytometry assay, respectively. A549 and NCI-H1299 xenograft mice model was constructed by subcutaneously injecting cells stably transfected with sh-SNHG7 and sh-NC. The interaction between SNHG7 and miR-181a-5p was validated by luciferase reporter system, RIP and RNA pull down assay. Protein expression of cleaved caspase 3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), AKT, p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR was analyzed by Western blot.

Results

SNHG7 expression was up-regulated while miR-181a-5p expression was down-regulated in NSCLC tumors, especially those from patients at Phase III+IV, compared with normal tissues. However, SNHG7 depletion attenuated tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, miR-181a-5p inhibitor abolished SNHG7 silencing induced inhibition on proliferation, migration and invasion in NSCLC. Subsequently, we found SNHG7 modulated cell progression by targeting miR-181a-5p and activating AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Conclusion

SNHG7 accelerates proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC by suppressing miR-181a-5p through AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thus presenting desirable biomarkers for NSCLC therapy.

MIR31HG exhibits oncogenic property and acts as a sponge for miR-361-3p in cervical carcinoma

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MIR31 Host Gene (MIR31HG) is a crucial regulator in malignant cancers. In this work, I examined the potential function and molecular mechanism of MIR31HG in cervical carcinoma progression. MIR31HG was strikingly upregulated in clinical cervical carcinoma specimens compared with that in adjacent samples. Functionally, knockdown of MIR31HG noticeably repressed cervical carcinoma cell growth and invasiveness in vitro and inhibited cervical carcinoma cell growth in vivo. Mechanistically, MIR31HG was identified as an endogenous 'sponge' through competing for miR-361-3p binding to modulate the miRNA target, epithelial membrane protein 1 (EMP1). Lastly, I verified that overexpression of EMP1 or miR-361-3p silencing effectively offset the impacts of MIR31HG knockdown on cervical carcinoma cell progression. In brief, these experimental results validate that MIR31HG is an oncogenic lncRNA that facilities cervical cancer progression.

Long non-coding RNA GAS5 in human cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) constitute a group of >200-nucleotide ncRNA molecules. lncRNAs regulate several cell functions, such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. Meanwhile, lncRNAs are abnormally expressed in human malignancies, where they suppress or promote tumor growth. The present study focused on growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5), a well-known lncRNA that acts as a tumor suppressor but is suppressed in multiple types of cancer, including mammary carcinoma, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, melanoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, gliomas, osteosarcoma, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, papillary thyroid carcinoma, neuroblastoma, endometrial cancer and liver cancer. Notably, GAS5 is overexpressed in liver cancer, potentially functioning as an oncogene. In the present study, the diagnostic and therapeutic roles of GAS5 in different tumors were reviewed, with a summary of the potential clinical application of the lncRNA, which may help identify novel study directions for GAS5.