Long non-coding RNAs and cancer: implications for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment

Cancer is a complex and highly heterogeneous disease; multiple genetic and epigenetic changes are associated with the tumorigenic process. Sequencing of the human genome has revealed a new class of non-protein-coding transcripts involved in various cellular processes related to tumorigenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), characterized as RNA transcripts with more than 200 nucleotides of extension that do not encode proteins, have gained prominence in cancer research, especially for their epigenetic role in regulating gene transcription. Understanding the biogenesis and functions of the thousands of lncRNAs present in the genome is an important and challenging task since several studies have identified changes in the expression of different lncRNAs in various types of cancer. This special IJO issue focuses on disseminating recent research on the identification, characterization, expression profile, and diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value of lncRNAs in different types of cancers. Original research articles, reviews, and mini-reviews are welcome.

14/04/2025