The Role of Noncoding RNAs in the Regulation of Anoikis and Anchorage-Independent Growth in Cancer

Abstract

Cancer is a global health concern, and the prognosis of patients with cancer is associated with metastasis. Multistep processes are involved in cancer metastasis. Accumulating evidence has shown that cancer cells acquire the capacity of anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent cell growth, which are critical prerequisite features of metastatic cancer cells. Multiple cellular factors and events, such as apoptosis, survival factors, cell cycle, EMT, stemness, autophagy, and integrins influence the anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent cell growth in cancer. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are dysregulated in cancer. They regulate cellular signaling pathways and events, eventually contributing to cancer aggressiveness. This review presents the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in modulating anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent cell growth. We also discuss the feasibility of ncRNA-based therapy and the natural features of ncRNAs that need to be contemplated for more beneficial therapeutic strategies against cancer.

The Hypoxia–Long Noncoding RNA Interaction in Solid Cancers

“…LncRNAs can regulate a broad range of cellular signaling regardless of oxygen levels [ 17 , 216 , 217 ], and solid cancers are heterogeneous in terms of oxygenation [ 218 ]. Therefore, targeting an individual lncRNA can have a chance of controlling both well-oxygenated and hypoxic cancer cells.…”

Lemongrass Essential Oil Components with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities

“…Xu and colleagues described, for the first time, the involvement of pinene, one component of LEO, in the upregulation of p27/CDKN1B, a cell cycle-blocking protein, through the downregulation of miR-221 [ 153 ]. The most well-known group of nc-RNAs are microRNAs [ 154 ]. When they are abundant, they silence mRNA transcription by sequestering them and destining them to degradation.…”

“…When they are abundant, they silence mRNA transcription by sequestering them and destining them to degradation. Long non-coding RNAs, such as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), may sponge a group of miRNAs and the relative abundance thereof determines whether the miRNA can exert its effects or is bound to the sponge [ 154 ]. This has been clearly reviewed for stilbenes [ 155 ] and other plant bioactives [ 155 , 156 ].…”

“…On the other hand, when specific bioactives have been studied as anticancer agents, pleiotropic effects have been observed, without precise indication of the main target or signalling pathway. For instance, resveratrol and stilbenes are known to regulate different signalling pathways [ 154 ]. The biochemical interaction with enzymes, regulation of non-coding RNAs, and activation of signalling pathways and transcription factors are among the main effects observed.…”

Lemongrass Essential Oil Components with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities

“…A great involvement of non-coding RNAs is at the basis of these mechanisms: therefore, expression of long and small non-coding RNAs determines whether an antioncogenic pathway is repressed or downregulated, or oncogenes are set free to induce cell transformation. The most well-known group of RNAs are microRNAs [152,153]. When they are abundant, they silence mRNA transcription by sequestering them and destining them to degradation.…”