Beyond MicroRNAs: Emerging Role of Other Non-Coding RNAs in HPV-Driven Cancers

Abstract

Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) leads to the development of several tumors, including cervical, oropharyngeal, and anogenital squamous cell carcinoma. In the last years, the use of high-throughput sequencing technologies has revealed a number of non-coding RNA (ncRNAs), distinct from micro RNAs (miRNAs), that are deregulated in HPV-driven cancers, thus suggesting that HPV infection may affect their expression. However, since the knowledge of ncRNAs is still limited, a better understanding of ncRNAs biology, biogenesis, and function may be challenging for improving the diagnosis of HPV infection or progression, and for monitoring the response to therapy of patients affected by HPV-driven tumors. In addition, to establish a ncRNAs expression profile may be instrumental for developing more effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HPV-associated lesions and cancers. Therefore, this review will address novel classes of ncRNAs that have recently started to draw increasing attention in HPV-driven tumors, with a particular focus on ncRNAs that have been identified as a direct target of HPV oncoproteins.

LncRNA HOTAIR promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis by sponging miR-214-3p in HPV16 positive cervical cancer cells

“…In particular, accumulating research data have demonstrated that the lncRNAs alterations in HPV infected cells was also crucial for the progression of cervical cancer. For example, a microarray analysis revealed that thousands of host lncRNAs had differential expression in oncogenic HPV-positive cells compared to the HPV-negative cervical cancer cell line [37]. Lots of lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the HPV18 positive HeLa cells respect to C33A cell line [38].…”

Therapeutic advances of miRNAs: A preclinical and clinical update

“…It has been noted in recent times HPV-related cancer cases are increasing. Casarotto et al described the utility of non-coding RNAs, such as miRNAs in HPV-related cancer [30] . A colon or rectum related cancer is often termed as colorectal cancer which is associated with bowel movement and inflammation.…”

Overexpression of LINC00673 Promotes the Proliferation of Cervical Cancer Cells

“…Since then, a large number of reports have found that lncRNAs play important biological functions, and lncRNAs have a wide range of tissue expression profiles and strong tissue expression specificity. Multiple studies have found that lncRNAs play key roles in tumorigenesis and development, and several lncRNAs are differentially expressed in cancers, including cervical cancer (5)(6)(7)(8). For example, the lncRNA LINC00673 has a carcinogenic effect in breast cancer (9,10), lung cancer (11,12), and gastric cancer (13) and exerts a tumor suppressive effect in pancreatic cancer (14).…”