AUTHOR=Tao Xiang-Yuan , Li Qian-Qian , Dong Shan-Shan , Wang Hui , Yang Yu-Qing , Yang Xi , Zeng Yong 

TITLE=Long noncoding HOXD-AS1: a crucial regulator of malignancy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1543915

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2025.1543915

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of various cancers. HOXD-AS1, an antisense RNA 1 of the lncRNA HOXD cluster, (also known as HAGLR, MIR7704HG, Mdgt, and STEEL), is located at human chromosome 2q31.1. Recent studies have demonstrated that the abnormal expression of HOXD-AS1 is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological features of patients with various tumors. The expression of HOXD-AS1 is abnormal in various tumors, affecting tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, invasion, metabolism, and drug resistance. HOXD-AS1 is important for cancer diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. Detecting its expression level helps judge cancer progression and predict patient survival. It is a therapeutic target and biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis, with good clinical application prospects. This article reviews the role, molecular mechanisms, and potential clinical value of HOXD-AS1 in malignant tumor development.