title: Long non-coding RNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in head and neck cancers.
abstract: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are generally defined as RNA molecules greater than 200 nt in length and without protein-coding property that different from housekeeping RNAs such as tRNAs, rRNAs, and snRNAs, and independent from small RNAs with specific molecular processing machinery such as micro- or piwi-RNAs. LncRNAs are a novel class of mRNA-like transcripts which contribute to cancer development and progression and accelerate cancer cells proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis. These research results indicate the potential of lncRNAs as prospective novel biomarkers for diagnosis, therapeutic targets and prognosis for cancers. In this review, we synthesize present study results to highlight aberration of lncRNAs in various types of head and neck cancers, and try to clarify the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs affecting the oncogenesis and progression of head and neck cancer, as well as pay particular attention to provide a new avenue to the diagnosis and treatment strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University Fuzhou 350001, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Qing
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University Fuzhou 350001, China ; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University Xiamen, Fujian 361004, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: Long non-coding RNA; biomarker; head and neck cancer; therapeutic target