An overview of lncRNA GAPLINC's role in human cancer growth and metastasis

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in cancer biology, influencing tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Among them, GAPLINC (Gastric Adenocarcinoma Predictive Long Intergenic Non-coding RNA) has garnered attention due to its aberrant expression across various malignancies and its association with poor clinical outcomes. While several studies have highlighted GAPLINC's oncogenic roles through interactions with microRNAs and involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a comprehensive synthesis of its mechanistic functions and clinical implications remains limited. This review addresses this limitation by systematically analyzing current findings on GAPLINC's molecular mechanisms, regulatory networks, and functional roles in different cancer types, including gastric, colorectal, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), glioma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We further evaluate the potential of GAPLINC as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target, providing an integrated perspective that consolidates existing knowledge and identifies directions for future research. By highlighting both common and cancer-specific mechanisms involving GAPLINC, this review adds new insights into its significance as a versatile biomarker and therapeutic target in oncology.

Keywords: Cancer; GAPLINC; LncRNAs; Metastasis; Tumor growth.