MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Cells. 2022 Jul 18;11(14):2234. doi: 10.3390/cells11142234.

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a type of genetic material that do not encode proteins but regulate the gene expression at an epigenetic level, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The role played by ncRNAs in many physiological and pathological processes has gained attention during the last few decades, as they might be useful in the diagnosis, treatment and management of several human disorders, including endocrine and oncological diseases. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive endocrine cancer, still characterized by high mortality and morbidity due to both endocrine and oncological complications. Despite the rarity of this disease, recently, the role of ncRNA has been quite extensively evaluated in ACC. In order to better explore the role of the ncRNA in human ACC, this review summarizes the current knowledge on ncRNA dysregulation in ACC and its potential role in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this tumor.

Keywords: ACC; adrenocortical adenoma; adrenocortical tumor; lncRNA; miRNA; prognostic markers.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma* / genetics
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Untranslated

Grants and funding

This work has been supported by the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN); PRIN 2020 Prot. 2017N8CK4K INSPIRE project; POR FESR 2014–2020; RarePlatNet (CUP: B63D18000380007).