Luan Siyuan, Yang Yushang, Zhou Yuxin, Zeng Xiaoxi, Xiao Xin, Liu Bo, Yuan Yong
Department of Thoracic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2021 Apr;78(7):3403-3422. doi: 10.1007/s00018-020-03751-0. Epub 2021 Jan 19.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a type of transcriptional product more than 200 nucleotides in length, have emerged as crucial regulators in human cancers. Accumulating data have recently indicated relationships between lncRNAs and esophageal carcinoma (EC). Of note, lncRNAs act as decoys/sponges, scaffolds, guides, and signals to regulate the expression of oncogenes or tumor suppressors at epigenetic, post-transcriptional, and protein levels, through which they exert their unique EC-driving or EC-suppressive functions. Moreover, the features of EC-related lncRNAs have been gradually exploited for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in clinical scenarios. LncRNAs have the potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic indicators individually or in combination with other clinical variables. Beyond these, although the time is not yet ripe, therapeutically targeting EC-related lncRNAs via gene editing, antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and small molecules is likely one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for the next generation of cancer treatment. Herein, we focus on summarizing EC-driving/suppressive lncRNAs, as well as discussing their different features regarding expression profiles, modes of action, and oncological effects. Moreover, we further discuss current challenges and future developing possibilities of capitalizing on lncRNAs for EC early diagnosis and treatment.
长链非编码RNA（lncRNAs）是一类长度超过200个核苷酸的转录产物，已成为人类癌症中的关键调节因子。最近越来越多的数据表明lncRNAs与食管癌（EC）之间存在关联。值得注意的是，lncRNAs通过在表观遗传、转录后和蛋白质水平上作为诱饵/海绵、支架、引导物和信号来调节癌基因或肿瘤抑制因子的表达，从而发挥其独特的促进或抑制食管癌的功能。此外，与EC相关的lncRNAs的特征已逐渐被用于开发临床场景中的新型诊断和治疗策略。lncRNAs有潜力单独或与其他临床变量结合用作诊断和预后指标。除此之外，尽管时机尚未成熟，但通过基因编辑、反义寡核苷酸、RNA干扰和小分子对与EC相关的lncRNAs进行治疗性靶向可能是下一代癌症治疗中最有前景的治疗策略之一。在此，我们着重总结促进或抑制食管癌的lncRNAs，并讨论它们在表达谱、作用模式和肿瘤学效应方面的不同特征。此外，我们进一步讨论利用lncRNAs进行食管癌早期诊断和治疗的当前挑战和未来发展可能性。
