Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in various biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. They are also key players in various biological pathways. LncRNA was considered as 'translational noise' before 1980s. It has been reported that lncRNAs are aberrantly expressed in different cancers, either as oncogene or tumor suppressor gene. Therefore, more and more lncRNAs are recognized as potential diagnostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. As competitive endogenous RNA, lncRNAs can interact with microRNA to alter the expression of target genes, which may have extensive clinical implications in cancers, including diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and chemoresistance. This review comprehensively summarizes the functions and clinical relevance of lncRNAs in digestive system cancers, especially as a potential tool to overcome chemoresistance.
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are the main regulators of cellular proliferation, growth, and survival in physiological or pathological conditions. Aberrant MAPK signaling plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis, which leads to development and progression of human cancer. Dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), a member of the MAPK phosphatase family, interacts with specifically targeted extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 via negative feedback regulation in the MAPK pathway of mammalian cells. This phosphatase functions in a dual manner, pro-oncogenic or tumor-suppressive, depending on the type of cancer. To date, the tumor-suppressive role of DUSP6 has been demonstrated in pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and ovarian cancer. Its pro-oncogenic role has been observed in human glioblastoma, thyroid carcinoma, breast cancer, and acute myeloid carcinoma. Both roles of DUSP6 have been documented in malignant melanoma depending on the histological subtype of the cancer. Loss- or gain-of-function effects of DUSP6 in these cancers highlights the significance of this phosphatase in carcinogenesis. Development of methods that use the DUSP6 gene as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment or as a prognostic factor for diagnosis and evaluation of cancer treatment outcome has great potential. This review focuses on molecular characteristics of the DUSP6 gene and its role in cancers in the purview of development, progression, and cancer treatment outcome.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious global health concern, with a high incidence and mortality rate. Although there have been advancements in the early detection and treatment of CRC, therapy resistance is common. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a type of small non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression, are key players in the initiation and progression of CRC. Recently, there has been growing attention to the complex interplay of miRNAs in cancer development. miRNAs are powerful RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and have been implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including carcinogenesis. By identifying current challenges and limitations of treatment strategies and suggesting future research directions, this review aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance CRC diagnosis and treatment. It also provides a comprehensive overview of the role miRNAs play in CRC carcinogenesis and explores the potential of miRNA-based therapies as a treatment option. Importantly, this review highlights the exciting potential of targeted modulation of miRNA function as a therapeutic approach for CRC.