Multifaceted Implications of Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer: From Biomarker Discovery to Therapeutic Target

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "RNA".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 1907

Special Issue Editors


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Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 20049 Malmö, Sweden
Interests: apoptosis; cancer; drug repositioning; metastasis; non-coding RNA; peptide based drug discovery; translational research; WNT signaling
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Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala 133207, India
Interests: phytochemicals; apoptosis; chemoprevention; nano-formulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nearly 60% of human cells’ transcriptome is made up of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which play a role in controlling cellular pathways and functions that are related to both health and illness. Important cellular programs are often controlled by a highly complicated regulatory network involving multiple interacting ncRNAs. The disruption of these processes can significantly alter the cell’s fate, which aids in the development of cancer. Recent developments in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and single-cell sequencing technologies have further verified this notion. Accumulating evidence highlights the interaction between traditional ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), through binding sites. In competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanisms, lncRNAs absorb miRNAs, suppressing their regulatory effects on mRNAs. Additionally, other ncRNA species, including vault RNAs (vtRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), have been linked to controlling gene expression. miRNAs and piRNAs, which are derived from snoRNAs, function in similar regulatory pathways.

This Special Issue welcomes original research, reviews, and systematic reviews that focus on recent advances related to the function, mechanisms, method of interactions, clinical applications, biomarker potential, and therapeutic implications of ncRNA in cancer.

Dr. Vikas Yadav
Dr. Hardeep Singh Tuli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • non-coding RNA
  • miRNA
  • lncRNA
  • circRNA
  • piRNA
  • snoRNA
  • cancer biomarker
  • cancer therapy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

19 pages, 2996 KiB  
Review
MYOSLID: A Critical Modulator of Cancer Hallmarks
by Kanupriya Medhi, Sagarika Mukherjee, Aastha Dagar, Ashutosh Kumar Tiwari, Sia Daffara, Sanjana Bana, Vivek Uttam, Md Rizwan Ansari, Vikas Yadav, Hardeep Singh Tuli and Aklank Jain
Genes 2025, 16(3), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030341 - 14 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Despite being the leading cause of death worldwide, cancer still lacks precise biomarkers for effective targeting, limiting efforts to reduce mortality rates. This review explores the role and clinical significance of a newly identified long non-coding RNA, MYOSLID, in cancer progression. MYOSLID [...] Read more.
Despite being the leading cause of death worldwide, cancer still lacks precise biomarkers for effective targeting, limiting efforts to reduce mortality rates. This review explores the role and clinical significance of a newly identified long non-coding RNA, MYOSLID, in cancer progression. MYOSLID has emerged as a critical modulator in cancer progression by influencing key hallmarks such as proliferation, immune evasion, metastasis, and metabolic reprogramming. It promotes tumor cell growth by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sequester tumor-suppressive microRNAs like miR-29c-3p, thereby enhancing oncogene expression. It facilitates immune evasion by upregulating PD-L1, suppressing T cell activation, and modulating necroptosis pathways involving RIPK1 and RIPK3. Additionally, MYOSLID drives metastasis by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers such as LAMB3 and Slug while promoting RAB13-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling and enhancing cancer cell invasion. We have obtained the expression of MYOSLID from TCGA and the ENCORI database. The expression of colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with poor prognosis and lower survival rate. Given its significant potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target, further research is required to elucidate its precise molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications in cancer treatment. Full article
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33 pages, 2346 KiB  
Review
Landscape of Noncoding RNA in the Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment
by Lianfeng Gong, Chuanxin Zou, Haixia Zhang, Fei Yang, Gui Qi and Zhaowu Ma
Genes 2025, 16(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020140 - 24 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Amidst the prevalent and notable characteristic of a hypoxic microenvironment present in the majority of solid tumors, a burgeoning number of studies have revealed the significance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in hypoxic tumor regions. The transcriptome of cancers is highly heterogeneous, with noncoding [...] Read more.
Amidst the prevalent and notable characteristic of a hypoxic microenvironment present in the majority of solid tumors, a burgeoning number of studies have revealed the significance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in hypoxic tumor regions. The transcriptome of cancers is highly heterogeneous, with noncoding transcripts playing crucial roles. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are two distinctive classes of ncRNA that are garnering increasing attention. Biologically, they possess intriguing properties and possess significant regulatory functions. Clinically, they present as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Additionally, recent research has evaluated the clinical applications of these ncRNAs in RNA-based treatments and noninvasive liquid biopsies. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent studies on lncRNAs and circRNAs within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the clinical significance of lncRNAs and circRNAs in cancer diagnosis and treatment is emphasized, which could pave the way for the development of effective targeted therapies. Full article
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