Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics 2024, Vol.12, No.6, 358-367 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/cge 358 Feature Review Open Access Regulatory Roles of lncRNAs and miRNAs in Colon Cancer Progression Jie Lian, Junhao Xu, Nanlin Huang, Haibo Lu School of Life Science and Technology, Computational Biology Research Center, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China Corresponding author: luhaibo@hrbmu.edu.cn Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, 2024, Vol.12, No.6 doi: 10.5376/cge.2024.12.0033 Received: 06 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 11 Dec., 2024 Published: 31 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Lian et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Lian J., Xu J.H., Huang N.L., and Lu H.B., 2024, Modulating the immune microenvironment for colon cancer therapy, Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, 12(6):358-367 (doi: 10.5376/cge.2024.12.0033) Abstract The progression of colon cancer is subject to sophisticated regulation by a complex network of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). These molecules exert a significant influence on processes such as tumorigenesis, metastasis, and the development of chemoresistance. Our research delves into the regulatory functions of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the context of colon cancer, emphasizing their interplay and underlying mechanisms.Specifically, lncRNAs, including TTN-AS1, FEZF1-AS1, and CCAT2, have been demonstrated to facilitate the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) by acting as molecular sponges for particular miRNAs, consequently perturbing the expression of genes that regulate cellular activities such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. For example, TTN-AS1 augments the progression of CRC through its interaction with the miR-376a-3p/KLF15 axis, whereas FEZF1-AS1 exerts its regulatory effects via the miR-363-3p/PRRX1 pathway.Furthermore, lncRNAs such as PART1 and CACS15 have been implicated in conferring chemoresistance to CRC. These lncRNAs interact with miR-150-5p/miR-520h and miR-145, respectively, modulating critical signaling pathways like Wnt/β-catenin and ABCC1. The current study also contemplates the feasibility of utilizing lncRNA-miRNA interactions as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the management of CRC.The elucidation of the intricate ceRNA networks, involving both lncRNAs and miRNAs, is anticipated to unlock new avenues for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the field of CRC research. This comprehensive understanding of the molecular crosstalk within these networks is vital for the development of targeted interventions and personalized treatment regimens. Keywords Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs); MicroRNAs (miRNAs); Colorectal cancer (CRC); Tumor progression; Chemoresistance; ceRNA network; Therapeutic targets 1 Introduction Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer (CRC), is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, contributing significantly to cancer-related morbidity and mortality. It is the third most common cancer globally and is characterized by high rates of metastasis and recurrence, which complicate treatment and reduce survival rates (Ding et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2019a). The progression of colon cancer involves complex molecular mechanisms, including genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations, which drive tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis (Fang et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2018). Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are two major classes of non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in the regulation of gene expression. LncRNAs are typically longer than 200 nucleotides and lack protein-coding potential. They can regulate gene expression at various levels, including chromatin modification, transcription, and post-transcriptional processing (Wang et al., 2019a; Su et al., 2021). MiRNAs, on the other hand, are short, single-stranded RNAs, usually 18-23 nucleotides in length, that primarily function by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of target mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation (Ding et al., 2018; Su et al., 2021). Both lncRNAs and miRNAs are involved in a wide range of biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion(Figure 1). In the context of cancer, they can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, depending on the cellular environment and the specific targets they regulate (Ding et al., 2018; Wu et al., 2018; Su et al., 2021). The interplay between lncRNAs and miRNAs, often through competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, adds an additional layer of complexity to gene regulation in cancer (Wu et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2019a).
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