Long Non-Coding RNAs as Strategic Molecules to Augment the Radiation Therapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Intrinsic resistance to ionizing radiation is the major impediment in the treatment and clinical management of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), leading to tumor relapse and poor prognosis. Although several biological and molecular mechanisms are responsible for resistance to radiotherapy in ESCC, the molecule(s) involved in predicting radiotherapy response and prognosis are still lacking, thus requiring a detailed understanding. Recent studies have demonstrated an imperative correlation amongst several long non-coding RNAs and their involvement in complex cellular networks like DNA damage and repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, accumulating evidence has suggested abnormal expression of lncRNAs in malignant tumor cells before and after radiotherapy effects in tumor cells’ sensitivity. Thus, lncRNAs indeed represent unique molecules that can influence tumor cell susceptibility for various clinical interventions. On this note, herein, we have summarized the current status of lncRNAs in augmenting resistance/sensitivity in ESCC against radiotherapy. In addition, we have also discussed various strategies to increase the radiosensitivity in ESCC cells under clinical settings.

Circulating Long Non-Coding RNAs LINC00324 and LOC100507053 as Potential Liquid Biopsy Markers for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Pilot Study

“…Notably, with the advancement of high throughput next-generation sequencing methods, many lncRNAs have been explored to be used for cancer management ( 7 , 8 , 10 – 12 , 26 ). However, we could not find any studies demonstrating the comprehensive investigation of lncRNAs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers using blood samples of ESCC patients.…”

“…Moreover, recent studies have validated the tissue/stage-specific expression of various lncRNAs, making it an ideal diagnostic and prognostic marker for several other tumors (7)(8)(9)(10). Furthermore, lncRNAs possess an inherent ability to interact with RNA, DNA, and proteins, which facilitates its potential as therapeutic target molecule (6)(7)(8)(10)(11)(12). Interestingly, the previous transcriptome analysis also reported various cancer-associated lncRNAs (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) and among them, PCA3 lncRNA is approved by FDA for clinical use of prostate cancer.…”

lncRNA CASC19 Contributes to Radioresistance of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Promoting Autophagy via AMPK-mTOR Pathway

“…Recently, lncRNAs including PVT1, LINC00963, and HOTAIR have been reported to be associated with radioresistance in many types of cancers [ 7 , 11 , 36 ]. The characteristics of a specific expression pattern and overexpression level of lncRNAs in cancers have highlighted their potential application as the diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers of patients [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], and lncRNAs-based intervention has been an emerging area of tumor chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Impact of noncoding RNAs on cancer directed immune therapies: Now then and forever

“…So far, the knowledge we have in this direction is very naïve and preliminary; therefore, we seek answers to many questions. However, ncRNA can be considered for combinational therapy with drugs and therapeutic antibodies used in cancer therapy 157 . Using/targeting these ncRNA according to their procancer/anticancer roles can potentially manipulate the sensitivity of cancer towards chemotherapeutic drugs, 158 radiotherapy and monoclonal antibody 159 …”