Functions and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

Abstract

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly prevalent and lethal malignancy of the digestive system, characterized by a complex pathogenesis involving multigene abnormalities and epigenetic regulation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulatory elements in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). lncRNAs, defined as ncRNA molecules >200 nucleotides in length, modulate gene expression through diverse mechanisms, including epigenetic modification, competing endogenous RNA networks and RNA-protein interactions. lncRNAs participate in regulating key biological processes in ESCC, such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, drug resistance, radioresistance, stem cell properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The present review summarizes the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in ESCC pathophysiology and their potential clinical application, emphasizing specific regulatory axes and mechanistic pathways implicated in esophageal carcinogenesis. Future studies should explore the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs and their translational application to improve prognostic outcomes for patients with ESCC and identify novel therapeutic targets. These efforts may provide innovative strategies and directions for advancing precision oncology in ESCC management.

Keywords: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; function; long non-coding RNA; mechanism; prognostic.

Figure 1.

Function of lncRNAs in esophageal cancer. LncRNAs are involved in regulating key biological processes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, drug resistance, radiation resistance, stem cell characteristics and EMT. MiRNA, microRNA; LncRNA, long non-coding RNA; EMT, epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Figure 2.

Potential lncRNA candidate markers in esophageal cancer. LncRNA, long non-coding RNA; SNHG1, small nucleolar RNA host gene 12; VPS9D1, VPS9 domain containing 1; EWSAT1, Ewing sarcoma associated transcript 1; PINT, p53 induced transcript; HAND2, heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2; NEF, negative regulatory factor; PGM5, phosphoglucomutase 5; CCAT1, colon cancer associated transcript 2; DDX11, DEAD/H-box helicase 11; FOXD2, forkhead box D2; HCP5, HLA complex P5; IRF1, interferon regulatory factor 1; MAGI2, membrane associated guanylate kinase, WW and PDZ domain containing 2; MEG3, maternally expressed 3.