The role of long non-coding RNAs in mediating chemoresistance by modulating autophagy in cancer

RNA Biol. 2020 Dec;17(12):1727-1740. doi: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1737787. Epub 2020 Mar 15.

Abstract

Cancer is a complex process in which protein-coding and non-coding genes play essential roles. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as a subclass of noncoding genes, are implicated in various cancer processes including growth, proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Due to presence in body fluids such as blood and urine, lncRNAs have become novel biomarkers in cancer detection, diagnosis, progression, and therapy response. Remarkably, increasing evidence has verified that lncRNAs play essential roles in chemoresistance by targeting different signalling pathways. Autophagy, a highly conserved process in response to environmental stresses such as starvation and hypoxia, plays a paradoxical role in inducing resistance or sensitivity to chemotherapy agents. In this regard, we reviewed chemoresistance, the role of lncRNAs in cancer, and the role of lncRNAs in chemoresistance by modulating autophagy.

Keywords: Cancer; LncRNAs; autophagy; chemoresistance; metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autophagy / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Long Noncoding

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the [Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Projects] under Grant [Nos. LGF18H160041 to LJQ, LGD19H160001 to JKT]; [National Natural Science Foundation of China] under Grant [Nos. 81772537 to JKT; 81374014 to JKT; 81502482 to JGZ]; and [Zhejiang Provincial Research Projects of Medical and Healthy Industries] under Grant [Nos. 2017KY193 and 2017KY210 to JGZ].