Long non-coding RNAs and endometrial cancer

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Nov:119:109396. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109396. Epub 2019 Sep 7.

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies. In spite of the advance in chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical techniques for EC in recent years, the survival rate of advanced stage EC patients remains unsatisfactory. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides exhibiting no or limited protein-coding potential. Growing evidence suggested lncRNAs may be a critical class of pervasive genes involved in cancer progression. However, the function and biological relevance between lncRNAs and EC remain not yet fully understood. Accumulating evidence has indicated that lncRNAs are dysregulated in EC, and closely related to tumorigenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. In this review, we summarize the known regulation and functional roles of lncRNAs in EC. Besides, we will discuss the potential of lncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in EC.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Endometrial cancer; Long non-coding RNAs; Metastasis; Tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding