The Role of Alternative Splicing in Cancer: Regulatory Mechanism, Therapeutic Strategy, and Bioinformatics Application

DNA Cell Biol. 2022 Sep;41(9):790-809. doi: 10.1089/dna.2022.0322. Epub 2022 Aug 10.

Abstract

[Formula: see text] Alternative splicing (AS) can generate distinct transcripts and subsequent isoforms that play differential functions from the same pre-mRNA. Recently, increasing numbers of studies have emerged, unmasking the association between AS and cancer. In this review, we arranged AS events that are closely related to cancer progression and presented promising treatments based on AS for cancer therapy. Obtaining proliferative capacity, acquiring invasive properties, gaining angiogenic features, shifting metabolic ability, and getting immune escape inclination are all splicing events involved in biological processes. Spliceosome-targeted and antisense oligonucleotide technologies are two novel strategies that are hopeful in tumor therapy. In addition, bioinformatics applications based on AS were summarized for better prediction and elucidation of regulatory routines mingled in. Together, we aimed to provide a better understanding of complicated AS events associated with cancer biology and reveal AS a promising target of cancer treatment in the future.

Keywords: alternative splicing; cancer therapy; metastasis; pre-mRNA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing* / genetics
  • Computational Biology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Precursors / therapeutic use
  • Spliceosomes / genetics

Substances

  • RNA Precursors