Noncoding RNAs as New Instruments in the Orchestration of Cell Death and Cancer Therapy Resistance

Dear colleagues,

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key orchestrators of tumorigenesis. Recent advances in biotechnologies, such as high-throughput sequencing, genome editing, and mouse modeling, have allowed for functional studies of ncRNAs to provide new perspectives in the fight against cancer. In addition to miRNAs and lncRNAs, that play a key role in the regulation of gene expression, other novel ncRNAs, such as transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments, snoRNA-related lncRNAs (sno-lncRNAs), and circRNAs have also appeared on the radar of cancer researchers. Increasing evidence shows that ncRNAs function either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes by regulating one or several cancer hallmarks, including evading cell death, metastasis, and drug resistance. Cancer therapy resistance is a major challenge in clinics and scientific research, resulting in tumor recurrence and metastasis. The mechanisms of therapy resistance are complex and result from multiple factors. Among them, ncRNAs have been shown to regulate drug resistance by targeting drug resistance-related genes or influencing genes related to cell proliferation and cell death. Indeed, ncRNAs target and inhibit the expression of several cellular regulators, including those controlling programmed cell death via the intrinsic and extrinsic, p53-, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptotic pathways, as well as pathways of necroptosis, mitophagy, and autophagy.

This Special Issue will focus on the recent advances in “Noncoding RNAs as New Instruments in the Orchestration of Cell Death and Cancer Therapy Resistance”, including new findings concerning ncRNAs that modulate apoptosis, autophagy, and other programmed cell death and cancer resistance pathways, as well as emerging data on miRNA–lncRNA interactions that affect cell death regulation and mechanisms of resistance to therapy. Current research progress on ncRNAs for clinical and/or potential translational applications, including the identification of novel therapeutic approaches for ncRNA targeting and delivery strategies, will be also appreciated. 

Prof. Silvia Zappavigna
Prof. Amalia Luce
Guest Editors

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