Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are noncoding RNAs longer than 200 nt that have almost no function for encoding proteins. As an important regulatory molecule of the human genome, lncRNAs play a regulatory role in the human body. LncRNAs have a variety of functions, such as signaling, guiding, baiting or scaffolding of functional proteins, and are closely related to tumor development. Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. It has a high incidence, a low early diagnosis rate, and a poor prognosis, and it seriously threatens human health. Abnormal expression of lncRNAs can affect the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer. Therefore, lncRNAs are expected to become important biomarkers and new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. LncRNAs have a significant potential to guide the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer. This article reviews lncRNAs and the mechanisms that have been discovered in recent years related to gastrointestinal tumors.
Keywords: LncRNA; apoptosis; cell proliferation; gastric cancer; invasion; metastasis.