Interplay between lncRNAs and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the progression of digestive system neoplasms (Review)

Abstract

Long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) is a class of non‑coding RNA molecules located in the cytoplasm or nucleus, which can regulate chromosome structure and function by interacting with DNA, RNA, proteins and other molecules; binding to mRNA bases in a complementary manner, affecting the splicing, stabilization, translation and degradation of mRNA; acting as competing endogenous RNA competitively binds to microRNAs to regulate gene expression and participate in the regulation of various vital activities of the body. The PI3K/AKT signalling pathway plays a key role in numerous biological and cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis. It has been found that the lncRNA/PI3K/AKT axis regulates the expression of cancer‑related genes and thus tumour progression. The abnormal regulation of lncRNA expression in the lncRNA/PI3K/AKT axis is clearly associated with clinicopathological features and plays an important role in regulating biological functions. In the present review, the expression and biological functions of PI3K/AKT‑related lncRNAs both in vitro and in vivo over recent years, were comprehensively summarized and analyzed. Their correlation with clinicopathological features was also evaluated, with the objective of furnishing a solid theoretical foundation for clinical diagnosis and the monitoring of efficacy in digestive system neoplasms. The present review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the expression and biological functions of PI3K/AKT‑related lncRNAs in digestive system neoplasms and to assess their correlation with clinicopathological features. This endeavor seeks to establish a solid theoretical foundation for the clinical diagnosis and efficacy monitoring of digestive system tumors.

Keywords: AKT; PI3K; biomarker; digestive system neoplasms; long non‑coding RNA.

Figure 1

A schematic representation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. The figure was created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0; Adobe Inc.). RTK, receptor tyrosine kinase; GPCR, G protein-coupled receptor; PIP₂, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate; PIP₃, phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate; PDK1, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1.

Figure 2

lncRNAs associated with PI3K/AKT in digestive system neoplasms. The figure was created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0; Adobe Inc.). LINC, long intergenic non-coding; lncRNA, long non-coding RNA.

Figure 3

Specific mechanisms of digestive system tumor progression between long non-coding RNAs and the PI3K/AKT pathway. The figure was created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0; Adobe Inc.). miR, microRNA; LINC, long intergenic non-coding.