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Long non-coding RNAs in metastasis

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Abstract

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes have recently been discovered as key regulators of developmental, physiological, and pathological processes in humans. Recent studies indicate that lncRNAs regulate every step of gene expression, and their aberrant expression can be found in the majority of cancer types. Particularly, lncRNAs were found to function in tumor development and metastasis, which is the major cause of cancer-related death. Thus, exploring key roles of lncRNAs in metastasis is predicted to enhance our knowledge of metastasis, and uncover novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers of this process. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in gene expression regulation and their function in metastasis.

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Funding

This study was supported by NIH/NCI R01CA148759, NIH/NCI R21 CA198558-01A1, NIH/NCI U01 CA200495-01, Pardee Foundation, PA Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Initiative, and National Natural Science Funds (81372328, 81572834).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Qihong Huang

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Fudan University, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China

    Jinchun Yan

  3. Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Reuven Agami

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  1. Qihong Huang
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  2. Jinchun Yan
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  3. Reuven Agami
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Correspondence to Qihong Huang or Reuven Agami.

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Huang, Q., Yan, J. & Agami, R. Long non-coding RNAs in metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 37, 75–81 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9713-x

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