Non-coding RNAs and Novel Therapeutic Targets in Human Cancers and Ageing-Related Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are generated from the largest part of the genome of which only 1–2% code for proteins. NcRNAs comprise different RNA species, which can be broadly categorized into short ncRNA such as microRNAs (miRNA), and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), such as lincRNA, antisense RNAs, pseudogenes and circular RNAs (circRNAs). The ncRNAs exert a pathway-centric effect on the regulation of cellular growth, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), senescence, immune response, metastasis and angiogenesis via myriad of mechanisms.

Recent technological advancements in RNA sequencing have shown that the alterations in ncRNAs represents critical biomarkers of human cancer and ageing-related diseases, underscoring their clinical value in diagnosis and prognosis. More recently, ncRNA-targeting therapies including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), ASO anti-microRNAs (antimiRs), miRNA mimics, miRNA sponges, therapeutic circular RNAs (circRNAs) and CRISPR–Cas9-based gene editing represents an attractive approach for the treatment of cancers, as well as ageing-related diseases.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute original research articles with reference to (but not limited to) the significance of ncRNAs in the development of diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics, novel methodological approaches combining bioinformatic tools and experimental validations, and the deciphering of its molecular mechanisms underlying the disease scenarios; critical review manuscripts with a perspective vision setting the stage for future research are also especially welcome.

Dr. Hung-Yu Lin
Dr. Pei-Yi Chu
Guest Editors

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