Non-coding RNA in Cancer: A Focus on Mechanisms of Action, Biomarker Properties, and Treatment Options

Dear colleagues,

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules transcribed from non-coding regions, which lack an open reading frame and, consequently, have no apparent protein-coding ability.

The current knowledge about ncRNAs as important regulators of gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, in both physiological and pathological conditions, has allowed the design of innovative anticancer strategies employing these epigenetic regulators as either therapeutic tools or molecular biomarkers. Genome-wide approaches for profiling the expression of both miRNAs and lnc-RNAs has, in fact, largely contributed to the molecular characterization of different cancer tissues, providing a rich amount of biological information, almost reflecting the cancer-associated specific modifications which, in several cases, also reflect the mechanisms underlying resistance to treatment.

Therapeutic strategies to modulate ncRNAs’ expression are recently emerging in virtue of their ability to influence cellular behavior; in detail, nc-RNA levels can be alternatively modulated by either oncosuppressive ncRNA mimics or inhibitors of oncogenic ncRNAs. The latter are, in turn, grouped into different major categories: antagomirs and locked nucleic acids (LNAs), specific for miRNA suppression, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), whose application is employed for the silencing of both miRNAs and lnc-RNAs, and small molecules acting as inhibitors or antagonists in lnc-RNA blocking. However, the actual challenge for using nucleic acids in preclinical and, particularly, in the clinical setting is represented by effective and safe delivery of ncRNA therapeutics into the target site, availing of the most advanced nanotechnologies.

The clinical relevance of ncRNAs also consists of the possibility to complement the existing biomarkers with the detection of cancer-specific, non-invasive, and easy to detect and quantify diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive tools from cancer tissues and, more importantly, from body fluids, for early cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, in view of efficient patient management.

This Special Issue will report the newest advancement in the knowledge of cancer-related ncRNAs, underlying their functional role and covering the main aspects of their therapeutic application.

Prof. Gabriella Misso
Dr. Angela Lombardi
Dr. Agostino Festa
Guest Editors

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