The Role of lncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer: Biomarkers, Chemoresistance, and Therapeutic Targets

Introduction ovarian cancer especially Epithelial ovarian cancer, is still highly deadly due to its late diagnosis and the high mortality rate that follows. Metastasis is present in roughly ۷۰% of diagnosed EOC cases, and treatment outcomes have been very unsatisfactory up to this time. So far, surgery and chemotherapy applied in advanced stages have shown poor results, underlining the need for new approaches. Recent data have suggested these lncRNAs can play a role in the formation, growth, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance in tumors. Methods This study presents the role of various lncRNAs in ovarian cancer. Studies associated with the expression of lncRNAs in ovarian cancer tissues, body fluids, and cell lines were reviewed. Employment of NGS and bioinformatics tools identified various differentially expressed lncRNAs for ovarian cancer. Functional analyses including their chemoresistance, EMT, and cell signaling of lncRNAs were also reviewed. Further, lncRNA therapeutic targeting by RNAi techniques such as siRNA, shRNA, and small molecules was discussed. Discussion lncRNAs are differentially expressed in ovarian cancer. HOTAIR and MALAT۱ expression was overexpressed in ovarian cancerous tissues and body fluids; they hold for being used as diagnostic markers. Prognosis has been documented to be associated with the downregulation of MEG۳. Moreover, the stability of these lncRNAs in biological fluids enhances their possible application in noninvasive diagnosis. Functionally, these lncRNAs have been implicated in a manifold of critical tumor-related processes. HOTAIR confers chemotherapy resistance through interactions with regulatory proteins, followed by modulated expression of genes responsible for drug resistance. MALAT۱ has been associated with metastasis and EMT due to its regulation of migration and invasion of cancerous cells, and MEG۳ has been associated with induction of apoptosis and inhibition of oncogenic pathways. All these lncRNAs are downregulated interfering RNAs like siRNA and shRNA. This downregulation results in reduced oncogenic effect and sensitivity to chemotherapy. A few small molecule targeted therapies directed against lncRNAs are also under investigation. Results Long non-coding RNAs have a developing diagnostic and therapeutic potential. High expressions of MALAT۱ are associated with poor prognosis, while the increased expression of HOTAIR is associated with higher metastasis rates. In contrast, the recovery of MEG۳ expression may inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis. Such data positions LNCRNAs as important biomarkers for diagnosis and potential treatment targets that may enhance outcomes by overcoming drug resistance and enhancing current therapies. Conclusion LncRNAs are a promising avenue that can improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer while also as a biomarker and therapeutic target because of their involvement in the modulation of tumor progressions and chemoresistance. Notwithstanding their great potential, further investigations should be performed to thoroughly reveal the complexity of how these molecules function and to translate some findings into clinical applications. Further investigations into gene editing techniques and new molecular therapies could attain better treatments and improved prognosis for patients affected by ovarian cancer by targeting lncRNAs.

کلیدواژه ها:

lncRNA ، ovarian cancer ، Chemotherapy resistance ، Biomarkers for cancer ، RNAi-based therapies