lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) are the relatively longer (more than 200 nucleotides long) subtypes of ncRNAs (non-coding RNAs) i.e the RNAs that do not code for any proteins. However, even without themselves being translated, lncRNAs impact the cellular gene expressions and functions in ways that are just beginning to be explored. The metastasis of human cancers as well as acquired resistance against the administered therapeutics are two major factors responsible for the cancer-associated mortality.
In search of the novel biomarkers as well as potential therapeutic targets of cancer metastasis and cancer drug resistance, the focus in recent years has turned to lncRNAs. What started with studies on relative expression of lncRNAs with the aim to define their utility as diagnostic biomarkers, has evolved into explorations of the possible functional role that these ncRNAs possibly play. One of the relatively more explored functions of lncRNAs is their ability to sponge and regulate the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), the other ncRNAs that are much shorter in length. This indirectly opens the flood gates to endless possibilities of regulation of gene expression, as miRNAs represent a much better explored subtype of ncRNA. However, regulation through miRNAs is perhaps not the only mode of lncRNAs functionality, as being revealed through continued interest and evaluations. The list of lncRNAs known to cancer researchers is ever expanding, as is the evidence linking their possible role as diagnostic as well as prognostic markers. As is often the case, lncRNAs were initially studied in the more prevalent human cancers such as the carcinomas of breast, lung, prostate, colon etc, but as of now there are published reports on lncRNAs in almost all cancers that affect humans. There is evidence supporting the role of specific lncRNAs in metastasis in general as well as organ-specific metastasis of different cases. Also, lncRNAs seem to be involved in acquired resistance against a majority of chemical therapeutics as well as radiotherapy. With the number of peer-reviewed articles published on the topic, it is extremely challenging to keep pace with the developments in the field. There is a need to assess the progress in the field so far so as to identify the course of future investigations.
This Research Topic invites all research as well as review articles that focus on lncRNAs in cancer metastasis and therapy resistance models. All the original research articles should be comprehensive evaluations of lncRNAs with preferable focus on mechanistic insights using appropriate in vitro and/or in vivo models or the clinical samples. Reviews should be detailed discussion on the chosen topic with enough illustrations and tabular data to comprehensively cover the topic.
lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) are the relatively longer (more than 200 nucleotides long) subtypes of ncRNAs (non-coding RNAs) i.e the RNAs that do not code for any proteins. However, even without themselves being translated, lncRNAs impact the cellular gene expressions and functions in ways that are just beginning to be explored. The metastasis of human cancers as well as acquired resistance against the administered therapeutics are two major factors responsible for the cancer-associated mortality.
In search of the novel biomarkers as well as potential therapeutic targets of cancer metastasis and cancer drug resistance, the focus in recent years has turned to lncRNAs. What started with studies on relative expression of lncRNAs with the aim to define their utility as diagnostic biomarkers, has evolved into explorations of the possible functional role that these ncRNAs possibly play. One of the relatively more explored functions of lncRNAs is their ability to sponge and regulate the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), the other ncRNAs that are much shorter in length. This indirectly opens the flood gates to endless possibilities of regulation of gene expression, as miRNAs represent a much better explored subtype of ncRNA. However, regulation through miRNAs is perhaps not the only mode of lncRNAs functionality, as being revealed through continued interest and evaluations. The list of lncRNAs known to cancer researchers is ever expanding, as is the evidence linking their possible role as diagnostic as well as prognostic markers. As is often the case, lncRNAs were initially studied in the more prevalent human cancers such as the carcinomas of breast, lung, prostate, colon etc, but as of now there are published reports on lncRNAs in almost all cancers that affect humans. There is evidence supporting the role of specific lncRNAs in metastasis in general as well as organ-specific metastasis of different cases. Also, lncRNAs seem to be involved in acquired resistance against a majority of chemical therapeutics as well as radiotherapy. With the number of peer-reviewed articles published on the topic, it is extremely challenging to keep pace with the developments in the field. There is a need to assess the progress in the field so far so as to identify the course of future investigations.
This Research Topic invites all research as well as review articles that focus on lncRNAs in cancer metastasis and therapy resistance models. All the original research articles should be comprehensive evaluations of lncRNAs with preferable focus on mechanistic insights using appropriate in vitro and/or in vivo models or the clinical samples. Reviews should be detailed discussion on the chosen topic with enough illustrations and tabular data to comprehensively cover the topic.
