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Cancer Innovation 2022, 1(3): 197-206 https://doi.org/10.1002/cai2.28
Review | Open Access | Issue | Published: 21 September 2022

Circular RNAs: Biomarkers of cancer

Show Author's Information Jingyi Cui1,2,  Meng Chen3,  Lanxin Zhang2,  Sida Huang4,  Fei Xiao1,2,  Lihui Zou1 ( )
The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, China
Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Key Laboratory for National Cancer Big Data Analysis and Implement, National Cancer Data Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
Department of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
Keywords:
cancer, biomarker, circRNA
Cite this article:
Cui J, Chen M, Zhang L, et al. Circular RNAs: Biomarkers of cancer. Cancer Innovation, 2022, 1(3): 197-206. https://doi.org/10.1002/cai2.28
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Abstract Full text About this article

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of single‐stranded closed RNAs that are produced by the back splicing of precursor mRNAs. The formation of circRNAs mainly involves intron‐pairing‐driven circularization, RNA‐binding protein (RBP)‐driven circularization, and lariat‐driven circularization. The vast majority of circRNAs are found in the cytoplasm, and some intron‐containing circRNAs are localized in the nucleus. CircRNAs have been found to function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, interact with RBPs and translate proteins, and play an important regulatory role in the development and progression of cancer. CircRNAs exhibit tissue‐ and developmental stage–specific expression and are stable, with longer half‐lives than linear RNAs. CircRNAs have great potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, which is highlighted by their detectability in tissues, especially in fluid biopsy samples such as plasma, saliva, and urine. Here, we review the current studies on the properties and functions of circRNAs and their clinical application value.


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About this article

Circular RNAs: Biomarkers of cancer

Show Author's information Jingyi Cui1,2, Meng Chen3, Lanxin Zhang2, Sida Huang4, Fei Xiao1,2, Lihui Zou1 ( )
The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, China
Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Key Laboratory for National Cancer Big Data Analysis and Implement, National Cancer Data Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
Department of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of single‐stranded closed RNAs that are produced by the back splicing of precursor mRNAs. The formation of circRNAs mainly involves intron‐pairing‐driven circularization, RNA‐binding protein (RBP)‐driven circularization, and lariat‐driven circularization. The vast majority of circRNAs are found in the cytoplasm, and some intron‐containing circRNAs are localized in the nucleus. CircRNAs have been found to function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, interact with RBPs and translate proteins, and play an important regulatory role in the development and progression of cancer. CircRNAs exhibit tissue‐ and developmental stage–specific expression and are stable, with longer half‐lives than linear RNAs. CircRNAs have great potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, which is highlighted by their detectability in tissues, especially in fluid biopsy samples such as plasma, saliva, and urine. Here, we review the current studies on the properties and functions of circRNAs and their clinical application value.

Keywords: cancer, biomarker, circRNA

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Publication history

Received: 24 June 2022
Accepted: 09 August 2022
Published: 21 September 2022
Issue date: October 2022

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© 2022 The Authors.

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This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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