Transcriptome sequencing reveals altered long intergenic non-coding RNAs in lung cancer. Genome Biol. 2014;15:429. [PMID: 25116943 DOI: 10.1186/preaccept-8565849481270705]

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Model for the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent and the second most lethal malignancy among males in the United States of America. Its diagnosis is almost entirely predicated upon histopathological analysis of the biopsied tissue, and it is associated with a substantial average error. Using genome-wide DNA methylation data derived from 469 prostatic tumor tissue samples and 50 normal prostatic tissue samples and interrogating over 485 000 CpG sites per sample (spanning across gene promoters, CpG islands, shores, shelves, gene bodies, and intergenic and other areas), we were able to develop a mathematical model that classified with a high accuracy (overall sensitivity = 95.31% and overall specificity = 94.00%) tumor tissue versus normal tissue. The methylation β values of five CpG sites, corresponding to the genes LINC01091, RPS15,  SNORA10, and two unknown DNA areas in chromosome 1, provided the input to the model. The model was validated with unknown samples, as well as with a sixfold cross-validation and a leave-one-out cross-validation. This study presents a novel genomic model based on genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of biopsied prostatic tissue that could aid in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and help advance the transition to genomic medicine.

Role of Exosomal Noncoding RNAs in Lung Carcinogenesis

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer death worldwide. Novel, recently discovered classes of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have diverse functional and regulatory activities and increasing evidence suggests crucial roles for deregulated ncRNAs in the onset and progression of cancer, including lung cancer. Exosomes are small extracellular membrane vesicles of endocytic origin that are released by many cells and are found in most body fluids. Tumor-derived exosomes mediate tumorigenesis by facilitating tumor growth and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a subclass of ncRNAs that are present in exosomes. miRNAs are taken up by neighboring or distant cells and modulate various functions of recipient cells. Here, we review exosome-derived ncRNAs with a focus on miRNAs and their role in lung cancer biology.

Roles of long non-coding RNAs in gastric cancer metastasis

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Metastasis, which is an important element of gastric cancer, leads to a high mortality rate and to a poor prognosis. Gastric cancer metastasis has a complex progression that involves multiple biological processes. The comprehensive mechanisms of metastasis remain unclear, though traditional regulation modulates the molecular functions associated with metastasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a role in different gene regulatory pathways by epigenetic modification and by transcriptional and post-transcription regulation. lncRNAs participate in various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The altered expressions of certain lncRNAs are linked to gastric cancer metastasis and invasion, as with tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes. Studies have partly elucidated the roles of lncRNAs as biomarkers and in therapies, as well as their gene regulatory mechanisms. However, comprehensive knowledge regarding the functional mechanisms of gene regulation in metastatic gastric cancer remains scarce. To provide a theoretical basis for therapeutic intervention in metastatic gastric cancer, we reviewed the functions of lncRNAs and their regulatory roles in gastric cancer metastasis.