The roles and mechanisms of coding and noncoding RNA variations in cancer

Functional variations in coding and noncoding RNAs are crucial in tumorigenesis, with cancer-specific alterations often resulting from chemical modifications and posttranscriptional processes mediated by enzymes. These RNA variations have been linked to tumor cell proliferation, growth, metastasis, and drug resistance and are valuable for identifying diagnostic or prognostic cancer biomarkers. The diversity of posttranscriptional RNA modifications, such as splicing, polyadenylation, methylation, and editing, is particularly significant due to their prevalence and impact on cancer progression. Additionally, other modifications, including RNA acetylation, circularization, miRNA isomerization, and pseudouridination, are recognized as key contributors to cancer development. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these RNA modifications in cancer can enhance our knowledge of cancer biology and facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Targeting these RNA modifications and their regulatory enzymes may pave the way for novel RNA-based therapies, enabling tailored interventions for specific cancer subtypes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and mechanisms of various coding and noncoding RNA modifications in cancer progression and highlights recent advancements in RNA-based therapeutic applications. In the intricate field of cancer study, researchers investigate how changes in RNA, a molecule that carries genetic instructions, contribute to cancer. Researchers explores these RNA changes, their mechanisms, and their role in cancer development. The authors review various ways RNA can be modified, including methylation, editing, and alternative splicing. The authors underline how these RNA changes can impact cancer development by affecting gene activity, protein creation, and cell behavior. The review’s key findings suggest that RNA changes are deeply involved in cancer’s start, development, and treatment response. By charting the landscape of RNA changes in cancer cells, the authors aim to pave new paths for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. They conclude targeting RNA changes offers a promising strategy for developing innovative cancer treatments, marking a significant progress in our approach to fighting this disease. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.