Circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: biogenesis, function, and pathology

Guocheng Rao; Xi Peng; Yan Tian; Xianghui Fu; Yuwei Zhang

doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1106665

Circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: biogenesis, function, and pathology

Front Genet. 2023 Jul 7:14:1106665. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1106665. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Guocheng Rao^{1

2}, Xi Peng^{1

2}, Yan Tian¹, Xianghui Fu^{1

2}, Yuwei Zhang²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cancer Center West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
² Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Both genetic and environmental factors through a multitude of underlying molecular mechanisms participate in the pathogenesis of HCC. Recently, numerous studies have shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs), an emerging class of non-coding RNAs characterized by the presence of covalent bonds linking 3' and 5' ends, play an important role in the initiation and progression of cancers, including HCC. In this review, we outline the current status of the field of circRNAs, with an emphasis on the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in HCC and its microenvironment. We also summarize and discuss recent advances of circRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These efforts are anticipated to throw new insights into future perspectives about circRNAs in basic, translational and clinical research, eventually advancing the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HCC.

Keywords: HCC; biomarker; circRNA; drug resistance; miRNA sponge; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the 1.3.5 Project for Disciplines of Excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (ZYJC18049).