Long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (LINC-ROR) over-expression predicts poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

Non-coding RNAs in leukemia drug resistance: new perspectives on molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways

Like almost all cancer types, timely diagnosis is needed for leukemias to be effectively cured. Drug efflux, attenuated drug uptake, altered drug metabolism, and epigenetic alterations are just several of the key mechanisms by which drug resistance develops. All of these mechanisms are orchestrated by up- and downregulators, in which non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) do not encode specific proteins in most cases; albeit, some of them have been found to exhibit the potential for protein-coding. Notwithstanding, ncRNAs are chiefly known for their contribution to the regulation of physiological processes, as well as the pathological ones, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses. Specifically, in the case of leukemia chemo-resistance, ncRNAs have been recognized to be responsible for modulating the initiation and progression of drug resistance. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed the role of ncRNAs, specifically its effect on molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways, in the development of leukemia drug resistance.

A review on the importance of LINC-ROR in human disorders

Long Intergenic Non-Protein Coding RNA, Regulator Of Reprogramming (LINC-ROR) is a long non-coding RNA with diverse physiological functions. The gene encoding this transcript resides on 18q21.31. Expression levels of LINC-ROR have been reported to be dysregulated in patients with diverse disorders, including cancer, autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Moreover, polymorphisms within this lncRNA have been shown to be associated with a variety of disorders, such as some kinds of cancer and some aspects of systemic lupus erythematous. Abnormal expression of LINC-ROR in some other human disorders is not yet understood. Emerging evidence suggests that LINC-ROR exerts pivotal roles in most types of human disorders as an oncogene. Differentially expressed LINC-ROR contributes in the development of diseases by changing the expression of genes that control the cell cycle. It can also exert its role by affecting the activity of some cancer-related signaling pathways and sponging tumor suppressor miRNAs. Expanding our understanding of LINC-ROR functions will pave the way for developing efficient therapeutic strategies against cancer and related disorders. The current review aims at providing a concise overview of the role of LINC-ROR in diverse human disorders through providing a summary of association studies and expression assays.

Functional Relevance of the Long Intergenic Non-Coding RNA Regulator of Reprogramming (Linc-ROR) in Cancer Proliferation, Metastasis, and Drug Resistance

Cancer is responsible for more than 10 million deaths every year. Metastasis and drug resistance lead to a poor survival rate and are a major therapeutic challenge. Substantial evidence demonstrates that an increasing number of long non-coding RNAs are dysregulated in cancer, including the long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (linc-ROR), which mostly exerts its role as an onco-lncRNA acting as a competing endogenous RNA that sequesters micro RNAs. Although the properties of linc-ROR in relation to some cancers have been reviewed in the past, active research appends evidence constantly to a better comprehension of the role of linc-ROR in different stages of cancer. Moreover, the molecular details and some recent papers have been omitted or partially reported, thus the importance of this review aimed to contribute to the up-to-date understanding of linc-ROR and its implication in cancer tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. As the involvement of linc-ROR in cancer is elucidated, an improvement in diagnostic and prognostic tools could promote and advance in targeted and specific therapies in precision oncology.

HSP70 Expression Signature in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Clinical and Bioinformatic Analysis Approach

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are cytoprotective against stressful conditions, as in the case of cancer cell metabolism. Scientists proposed that HSP70 might be implicated in increased cancer cell survival. This study aimed to investigate the HSP70 (HSPA4) gene expression signature in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in correlation to cancer subtype, stage, grade, and recurrence, combining both clinicopathological and in silico analysis approaches. One hundred and thirty archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, including 65 RCC tissue specimens and their paired non-cancerous tissues, were included in the study. Total RNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed using TaqMan quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Correlation and validation to the available clinicopathological data and results were executed. Upregulated HSP70 (HSPA4) gene expression was evident in RCC compared to non-cancer tissues in the studied cohort and was validated by in silico analysis. Furthermore, HSP70 expression levels showed significant positive correlations with cancer size, grade, and capsule infiltration, as well as recurrence in RCC patients. The expression levels negatively correlated with the overall survival (r = -0.87, p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves showed lower survival rates in high HSP70 expressor group compared to the low expressors. In conclusion, the HSP70 expression levels are associated with poor RCC prognosis in terms of advanced grade, capsule infiltration, recurrence, and short survival.

Prognostic Value of LINC-ROR (rs1942347) Variant in Patients with Colon Cancer Harboring BRAF Mutation: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Emerging studies show that long intergenic non-protein coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (LINC-ROR) is aberrantly expressed in several types of cancer, including colon cancer (CC). LINC-ROR intronic variant rs1942347 may impact gene regulation and disease phenotype. We aimed to explore the potential association of LINC-ROR (rs1942347) with the clinicopathological features and outcome of CC cases. Archived FFPE (n = 180) CC samples were enrolled. Taq-Man allelic discrimination PCR was used for genotyping in propensity-matched cohorts with/without positive staining for mutant BRAF protein after eliminating confounders bias. The rs1942347*A allele variant was associated with high pathological grade, larger tumor size, distant metastasis, and mortality. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by sex and BRAF mutation showed A/A genotype carriers to have 3 times more risk of early onset of cancer (OR = 3.13, 95%CI = 1.28–7.69, p = 0.034) than T/T genotype carriers. Overall analysis showed that rs1942347*A allele carriers had higher risk of mortality under heterozygote (OR = 2.13, 95%CI = 1.08–4.35, p = 0.003), homozygote (OR = 5.0, 95%CI = 1.69–14.29, p = 0.003), dominant (OR = 3.33, 95%CI = 1.20–9.09, p = 0.003), and recessive (OR = 2.63, 95%CI = 1.37–5.0, p = 0.011) models compared to T/T allele carriers. Stratified analysis by BRAF status revealed that the ancestor T/T allele conferred protection in BRAF mutant CC patients and was associated with a 73–93% reduced risk of mortality under heterozygote/homozygote comparison models. Using Kaplan–Meier curves, carriers of the A/A genotype had shorter survival times than T/T cohorts. The univariate Cox regression model revealed that the A/A genotype was associated with a 3.5 times greater mortality risk than the T/T genotype. However, after adjustment by multiple Cox regression analysis, the risk was insignificant. In conclusion, this is the first study identifying the potential association of the LINC-ROR (rs1942347) variant with CC prognosis.