The role of ceRNA-mediated diagnosis and therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide due to its high degree of malignancy, high incidence, and low survival rate. However, the underlying mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis remain unclear. Long non coding RNA (lncRNA) has been shown as a novel type of RNA. lncRNA by acting as ceRNA can participate in various biological processes of HCC cells, such as tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and drug resistance by regulating downstream target gene expression and cancer-related signaling pathways. Meanwhile, lncRNA can predict the efficacy of treatment strategies for HCC and serve as a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Therefore, lncRNA serving as ceRNA may become a vital candidate biomarker for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the epidemiology of HCC, including morbidity, mortality, regional distribution, risk factors, and current treatment advances, was briefly discussed, and some biological functions of lncRNA in HCC were summarized with emphasis on the molecular mechanism and clinical application of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA regulatory network in HCC. This paper can contribute to the better understanding of the mechanism of the influence of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA networks (ceRNETs) on HCC and provide directions and strategies for future studies.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Function; HCC; Mechanism; ceRNA; ceRNET.

Fig. 1

Incidence and risk factors of HCC. A Bar graph of Region-adjusted incidence of HCC (per 100, 000) worldwide in 2018, stratified by Sex. B Age - specific incidence and mortality rates (per 100, 000), and 5-year relative survival for HCC in the US from 1975 to 2013. C Risk factors: HBV, HCV obesity, aflatoxin B, diabetes, and alcohol abuse

Fig. 2

The mechanisms of lncRNA related ceRNA regulatory networks. A-B Biogenesis of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA). C lncRNAs as competing endogenous RNAs and mRNAs share a pool of miRNAs, and the competition for miRNAs leads to dynamic regulation of the expression level of mRNAs

Fig. 3

Schematic representation of five major signaling pathways. Schematic representation of five major signaling pathways involved in lncRNAs related ceRNETs regulation in HCC

Fig. 4

Summary of lncRNAs related ceRNETs mediated functions in HCC. LncRNAs can regulate HCC progressions, such as tumor formation, cell proliferation, metastasis and migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and drug resistance