LncRNAs are important regulators of gene expression interacting with the major pathways of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Alterations in the function of lncRNAs promote tumour formation, progression, and metastasis of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. LncRNAs can be used as noninvasive tumour markers in urologic malignancies. Increased knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs perform their function in the normal and malignant cell will lead to a better understanding of tumour biology and could provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of urologic cancers.
In this paper the authors review current knowledge of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) for the detection and treatment of urologic cancers. They conclude that lncRNAs can be used as novel biomarkers in prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer. LncRNAs hold promise as future therapeutic targets, but more research is needed to gain a better understanding of their biologic function.
- Martens-Uzunova ES1, Böttcher R2, Croce CM3, Jenster G4, Visakorpi T5, Calin GA6. (2013) Long Noncoding RNA in Prostate, Bladder, and Kidney Cancer. Eur Urol [Epub ahead of print]. [abstract]