The regulatory roles of lncRNAs in the process of breast cancer invasion and metastasis

Biosci Rep. 2018 Sep 28;38(5):BSR20180772. doi: 10.1042/BSR20180772. Print 2018 Oct 31.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and principal cause of death among females worldwide. Invasion and metastasis are major causes which influence the survival and prognosis of BC. Therefore, to understand the molecule mechanism underlying invasion and metastasis is paramount for developing strategies to improve survival and prognosis in BC patients. Recent studies have reported that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the regulation of BC invasion and metastasis through a variety of molecule mechanisms that endow cells with an aggressive phenotype. In this article, we focused on the function of lncRNAs on BC invasion and metastasis through participating in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, strengthening cancer stem cells generation, serving as competing endogenous lncRNAs, influencing multiple signaling pathways as well as regulating expressions of invasion-metastasis related factors, including cells adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix, and matrix metallo-proteinases. The published work described has provided a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the contribution of lncRNAs to BC invasion and metastasis, which may lay the foundation for the development of new strategies to prevent BC invasion and metastasis.

Keywords: Breast cancer (BC); Invasion; Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs); Metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding