Serum long non-coding RNAs as potential noninvasive biomarkers for glioblastoma diagnosis, prognosis, and chemoresistance.

Abstract

Gliomas are common brain tumors with a variable prognosis based on their tumor grade. With glioblastomas, the prognosis is usually unfavorable. Thus, having accurate and rapid methods for their diagnosis and follow-up are essential for rapid discovery of the tumor and to protect patients from unnecessary procedures. Some glioma cases are challenging since there is a limited ability to differentiate between gliomas, recurrent glioblastomas, and single metastatic lesions. Monitoring treatment responses and follow-ups can also be challenging. While both radiological and serological markers have been identified that can aid diagnosis and assess therapies, a particularly promising new class of serological markers are long non-coding RNAs. Long non-coding RNAs are a relatively recently discovered class of regulatory RNA molecules that play critical roles in many cellular and physiological processes. The potential role that long non-coding RNAs play with glioma pathogenic processes is not fully understood. In this literature review, we highlight the potential for long non-coding RNAs to be used as serum biomarkers in glioblastoma patients, including their potential to serve as non-invasive, easy to use, and rapid diagnostic or prognostic indicators.