LncRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer: novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with a serious impact on human health and life. The identification of NSCLC at an early stage is a formidable task that frequently culminates in a belated diagnosis. LncRNA is a kind of noncoding RNA with limited protein-coding capacity, and its expression is out of balance in many cancers, especially NSCLC. A large number of studies have reported that lncRNA acts a vital role in regulating angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells, affecting the occurrence and development of NSCLC. Abundant evidence demonstrates that lncRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for NSCLC diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in characterizing the functional mechanism of lncRNAs involved in the development of NSCLC and further discuss the role of lncRNAs in NSCLC therapy and chemotherapy resistance. We also discuss the advantages, limitations, and challenges of using lncRNAs as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in the management of NSCLC.

Keywords: biomarker; diagnosis; lncRNA; lung cancer; prognosis; therapy.

FIGURE 1

Classification diagram of lncRNAs. Intergenic lncRNA: also known as lincRNA, located between two protein-coding genes and capable of independent transcription. Intronic lncRNA: A transcript that is located in the intronic region of a protein-coding gene and has no overlap with its exon. Sense lncRNA: Transcribed from the justice chain of a protein-coding gene, overlapping with at least one exon of the protein-coding gene located on the same chain and transcribed in the same direction. Antisense lncRNA: Transcription by DNA strands complementary to protein-coding genes that are transcribed in opposite directions and overlap at least one exon of the forward gene. Bidirectional lncRNA: Shares promoters with protein-coding genes, but transcribes in the opposite direction to protein-coding genes.

FIGURE 2

Function of lncRNA in NSCLC progression. There is growing evidence that lncRNA act as a series of novel regulators of tumorigenesis, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion.