Construction of competing endogenous RNA network and identification of novel molecular biomarkers in colon cancer: A bioinformatic analysis

LncRNA-HOXC-AS2 regulates tumor-associated macrophage polarization through the STAT1/SOCS1 and STAT1/CIITA pathways to promote the progression of non-small cell lung cancer

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) mainly exhibit the characteristics of M2-type macrophages, and the regulation of TAM polarization is a new target for cancer therapy, among which lncRNAs are key regulatory molecules. This study aimed to explore the effects of lncRNA-HOXC-AS2 on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by regulating TAM polarization. THP-1 cells were used to differentiate into macrophages, and TAMs were obtained by coculture with A549 cells. The M1/M2 cell phenotype and HOXC-AS2 expression were detected, and A549-derived exosomes (A549-exo) were used to elucidate the effects of A549 on macrophage polarization and HOXC-AS2 expression. Then, by interfering with HOXC-AS2 or STAT1, the effects of HOXC-AS2 regulation of STAT1 on the TAM phenotype and STAT1/SOCS1 and STAT1/CIITA pathways were analyzed, and the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells in the coculture system were also detected. Results showed that HOXC-AS2 expression in M2 macrophages and TAMs was significantly higher than that in M1 macrophages, and A549-exo promoted HOXC-AS2 expression and M2 polarization. Intervention HOXC-AS2 resulted in increased M1 marker expression, decreased M2 marker expression, and activation of STAT1/SOCS1 and STAT1/CIITA pathways in TAMs. In addition, HOXC-AS2 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of TAMs and could bind to STAT1. Further experiments confirmed that intervention HOXC-AS2 promoted the M1 polarization of TAMs by targeting STAT1 and weakened the promoting effects of TAMs on the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC. In conclusion, HOXC-AS2 inhibited the activation of STAT1/SOCS1 and STAT1/CIITA pathways and promoted M2 polarization of TAMs by binding with STAT1, thus promoting NSCLC.

Discovery and Validation of Clinically Relevant Long Non-Coding RNAs in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

Recent efforts in biomedical research have focused on the identification of molecular biomarkers to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and eventually treatment of the most common human diseases worldwide, including cancer. In this context, a large number of studies point to a pivotal role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathophysiology of carcinogenesis, suggesting diagnostic or therapeutic potential. However, for most of them, supporting evidence is scarce and often based on a single large-scale analysis. Here, focusing on colorectal cancer (CRC), we present an overview of the main approaches for discovering and validating lncRNA candidate molecules, and provide a curated list of the most promising lncRNAs associated with this malignancy.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, with nearly two million newly diagnosed cases each year. The survival of patients with CRC greatly depends on the cancer stage at the time of diagnosis, with worse prognosis for more advanced cases. Consequently, considerable effort has been directed towards improving population screening programs for early diagnosis and identifying prognostic markers that can better inform treatment strategies. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as promising molecules, with diagnostic and prognostic potential in many cancers, including CRC. Although large-scale genome and transcriptome sequencing surveys have identified many lncRNAs that are altered in CRC, most of their roles in disease onset and progression remain poorly understood. Here, we critically review the variety of detection methods and types of supporting evidence for the involvement of lncRNAs in CRC. In addition, we provide a reference catalog that features the most clinically relevant lncRNAs in CRC. These lncRNAs were selected based on recent studies sorted by stringent criteria for both supporting experimental evidence and reproducibility.

Use of Omics Technologies for the Detection of Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers with high mortality rates, especially when detected at later stages. Early detection of CRC can substantially raise the 5-year survival rate of patients, and different efforts are being put into developing enhanced CRC screening programs. Currently, the faecal immunochemical test with a follow-up colonoscopy is being implemented for CRC screening. However, there is still a medical need to describe biomarkers that help with CRC detection and monitor CRC patients. The use of omics techniques holds promise to detect new biomarkers for CRC. In this review, we discuss the use of omics in different types of samples, including breath, urine, stool, blood, bowel lavage fluid, or tumour tissue, and highlight some of the biomarkers that have been recently described with omics data. Finally, we also review the use of extracellular vesicles as an improved and promising instrument for biomarker detection.