Oncogenic LncRNA CASC9 in Cancer Progression
Background: Long non-coding RNA (LncRNAs), with the length over 200 nucleotides, originate from intergenic, antisense, or promoter-proximal regions, is a large family of RNAs that lack coding capacity. Emerging evidences illustrated that LncRNAs played significant roles in a variety of cellular functions and biological processes in profuse human diseases, especially in cancers. Cancer susceptibility candidate 9 (CASC9), as a member of the LncRNAs group, was firstly found its oncogenic function in esophageal cancer. In following recent studies, a growing amount of human malignancies are verified to be correlated with CASC9, most of which are derived from the squamous epithelium tissue. This present review attempts to highlight the latest insights into the expression, functional roles, and molecular mechanisms of CASC9 in different human malignancies. Methods: In this review, the latest findings related to the pathophysiological processes of CASC9 in human cancers were summarized and analyzed, the associated studies were collected in systematically retrieval of PubMed used lncRNA and CASA9 as keywords. Results: CASC9 expression is identified to be aberrantly elevated in a variety of malignancies. The over-expression of CASC9 has been suggested to accelerate cell proliferation, migration, cell growth and drug resistance of cancer cells, while depress cell apoptosis, revealing its role as an oncogene. Moreover, the current review demonstrated CASC9 closely relates to neoplastic transformation of squamous epithelial cells and squamous metaplasia in non-squamous epithelial tissues. Finally, we discuss the limitations and tremendous diagnostic/therapeutic potential of CASC9 in various human cancers. Results: CASC9 expression is identified to be aberrantly elevated in a variety of malignancies. The over-expression of CASC9 has been suggested to accelerate cell proliferation, migration, cell growth and drug resistance of cancer cells, while depress cell apoptosis, revealing its role as an oncogene. Moreover, the current review demonstrated CASC9 closely relates to neoplastic transformation of squamous epithelial cells and squamous metaplasia in non-squamous epithelial tissues. Finally, we discuss the limitations and tremendous diagnostic/therapeutic potential of CASC9 in various human cancers. Conclusion: Long non-coding RNACASC9 likely served as useful disease biomarkers or therapy targets that could effectively apply in treatment of different kinds of cancers.