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Review
. 2019 Feb 16;11(2):234.
doi: 10.3390/cancers11020234.

Exploring lncRNA-Mediated Regulatory Networks in Endometrial Cancer Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment: Advances and Challenges

Peixin Dong  1 , Ying Xiong  2 , Junming Yue  3   4 , Sharon J B Hanley  5 , Noriko Kobayashi  6 , Yukiharu Todo  7 , Hidemichi Watari  8
Affiliations
Review

Exploring lncRNA-Mediated Regulatory Networks in Endometrial Cancer Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment: Advances and Challenges

Peixin Dong et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed both the promise and challenges of targeting long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to diagnose and treat endometrial cancer (EC). LncRNAs are upregulated or downregulated in ECs compared to normal tissues and their dysregulation has been linked to tumor grade, FIGO stage, the depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis and patient survival. Tumor suppressive lncRNAs (GAS5, MEG3, FER1L4 and LINC00672) and oncogenic lncRNAs (CCAT2, BANCR, NEAT1, MALAT1, H19 and Linc-RoR) have been identified as upstream modulators or downstream effectors of major signaling pathways influencing EC metastasis, including the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, WNT/β-catenin and p53 signaling pathways. TUG1 and TDRG1 stimulate the VEGF-A pathway. PCGEM1 is implicated in activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway. Here, we present an overview of the expression pattern, prognostic value, biological function of lncRNAs in EC cells and their roles within the tumor microenvironment, focusing on the influence of lncRNAs on established EC-relevant pathways. We also describe the emerging classification of EC subtypes based on their lncRNA signature and discuss the clinical implications of lncRNAs as valuable biomarkers for EC diagnosis and potential targets for EC treatment.

Keywords: endometrial cancer; epigenetics; long non-coding RNA; microRNA; prognostic biomarker; regulatory mechanism; therapeutic target; tumor microenvironment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
LncRNAs mediate cell signaling in EC cells. Tumor suppressive lncRNAs (GAS5, MEG3, FER1L4 and LINC00672) and oncogenic lncRNAs (CCAT2, BANCR, NEAT1, MALAT1, H19 and Linc-RoR) are upstream modulators or downstream effectors of well-known oncogenic or tumor suppressor pathways in EC, including the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, WNT/β-catenin and p53 signaling pathways. Oncogenic lncRNAs (red) and tumor suppressive lncRNAs (green).
Figure 2
Figure 2
LncRNAs are mediators of angiogenesis and inflammation in EC. TUG1 and TDRG1 stimulate the VEGF-A pathway. PCGEM1 is implicated in activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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