Review: RNA-based diagnostic markers discovery and therapeutic targets development in cancer

Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Jun:234:108123. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108123. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Abstract

The present review aimed to outline different types of RNAs in cancer diagnostics and treatment, and to provide novel insights into their clinical applications. RNAs, including mRNA, long non-coding (lnc)RNA, circular (circ)RNA and micro (mi)RNA, are now increasingly utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. Each aforementioned type of RNA possess their own unique characteristics and could be aberrantly expressed as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets in different cancers. In addition to mRNAs, which have become a promising alternative in cancer diagnostics and therapy, the uses of lncRNA, circRNA and miRNA in predictive tumor diagnostics and therapy has rapidly increased in recent years. In the present review, the mechanisms of mRNA, lncRNA, circRNA and miRNA in regulating and participating in the development of different cancers were determined, and their potential capacity in cancer diagnostics and therapy were investigated. In addition, the present review analyzed the assoaciations between different RNAs and their subsequent potential in cancer prediction and treatment.

Keywords: Cancer; Diagnosis; RNA; Therapy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / genetics
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Messenger