Abstract
At present, as hotspot members of the noncoding RNA network, circular RNAs (circRNAs) with distinct properties and diverse pathophysiological functions are being increasingly delineated. CircRNAs play roles at the epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory levels. Major studies have focused on their functions as efficient microRNA sponges. The validated number of endogenous circRNAs involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to increase. Altered circRNA expression is associated with HCC occurrence, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, the aberrant expression of circRNAs is also significantly related to HCC tumor stage, size, differentiation and metastasis. Because they are exceptionally stable, highly conserved and have tissue‐specific expression patterns, some circRNAs, including hsa_circ_0004018, hsa_circ_0003570, and hsa_circ_0005075, may be potential markers for the diagnosis of HCC. We herein summarize the current knowledge of HCC‐associated circRNAs and present their implications for carcinogenesis and their potential value as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Finally, we discuss the future directions of studies on HCC‐associated circRNAs.
Highlights
Circular RNAs refer to a large class of RNA species without 3′ or 5′ ends and that are widely expressed in eukaryotic cells.[1,2,3] For several decades, most circRNAs were considered to be inconspicuous alternative splicing transcripts
When diagnosed at the early stage, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients can achieve marked advances in life expectancy; when diagnosed at the advanced stage with metastasis, patients have dismal prognoses, even if they are treated with multikinase inhibitor sorafenib or regorafenib.[4]
This study revealed that thousands of endogenous circRNAs might have translation ability.[37]
Summary
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) refer to a large class of RNA species without 3′ or 5′ ends and that are widely expressed in eukaryotic cells.[1,2,3] For several decades, most circRNAs were considered to be inconspicuous alternative splicing transcripts.
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