Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a complicated process caused by successive genetic and epigenetic alterations. The past decades demonstrated that the immune system affects tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. Although increasing immunotherapies are revealed, only a tiny proportion of them are effective. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of single-stranded RNA molecules larger than 200 nucleotides and are essential in the molecular network of oncology and immunology. Increasing researches have focused on the connection between lncRNAs and cancer immunotherapy. However, the in-depth mechanisms are still elusive. In this review, we outline the latest studies on the functions of lncRNAs in the tumor immune microenvironment. Via participating in various biological processes such as neutrophil recruitment, macrophage polarization, NK cells cytotoxicity, and T cells functions, lncRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, tumor invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis. In addition, we reviewed the current understanding of the relevant strategies for targeting lncRNAs. LncRNAs-based therapeutics may represent promising approaches in serving as prognostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets in cancer, providing ideas for future research and clinical application on cancer diagnosis and therapies.
Highlights
The immune system and cancer progression are tightly connected
Unlike conventional systemic therapies that are directly cytotoxic to tumor cells, cancer immunotherapy depends on the immune system to set antitumor effects
This study indicated that targeting Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be potential immunotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) [175]
Summary
When immune cells recognize exogenous threats or endogenous mutations, they respond to changes in the microenvironment, from a static sentinel role to an active responder. LncRNAs have revealed the diverse regulatory roles in immune responses and cancer progression. Different from mRNAs, the biogenesis of lncRNAs is associated with their specific subcellular localizations and functions. Unlike conventional systemic therapies that are directly cytotoxic to tumor cells, cancer immunotherapy depends on the immune system to set antitumor effects. A better understanding of lncRNAs-mediated approaches will provide new insights into the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. We reviewed the current understanding of the relevant strategies for targeting lncRNAs. This review highlighted the essential roles of these lncRNAs-mediated approaches, which have great potential in immunotherapies to facilitate future cancer diagnosis and treatment
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