Mechanistic link between long noncoding RNA and stability of oncogene reveals stemness and chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma.

This letter comments on the recently published manuscript by Yu et al, in which the authors revealed a novel mechanism by which the m6A-modified long noncoding RNA kinesin family member 9-antisense RNA 1 promotes stemness and sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through ubiquitin-specific peptidase 1-mediated deubiquitination of oncogene short stature homeobox 2. Given the high mortality rate and poor prognosis of HCC, the findings by Yu et al open a new avenue for overcoming HCC burden by focusing on kinesin family member 9-antisense RNA 1 and short stature homeobox 2 as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.