Hot Topics in Cell Death: Circular and Non-Coding Endogenous RNA in Cancer Progression

Circular RNA (circRNA) is gaining increasing attention due to its stable structure, its role in gene regulation, and more recently, its involvement in regulatory circuits mediated by other non-coding RNA. CircRNA has been found to function as both an oncogenic stimulus and a tumor suppressor in cancer. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated the potential of circRNA as a predictive biomarker for neoplasm. However, there is competition with other endogenous non-coding RNAs (e.g. microRNAs) as they share the same binding elements, which interestingly leads to an indirect regulation of each other. Emerging evidence also indicates cell-specific expression and links to physiological development in various diseases. Understanding the role and crosstalk between circRNA and ncRNA networks could therefore unveil both biomarkers and disease pathology, leading to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

For this research topic, our aim is to enhance the understanding of the roles of circRNA and ncRNA in cancer progression and their potential association with viruses, contributing to the etiology of cancer or its evolution, as well as their utility as biomarkers, diagnostics, and therapeutic targets. We also welcome manuscripts that address, but are not limited to, the following areas:
• The roles of both circRNA and non-coding RNA in apoptosis
• Their influence on cellular physiology through molecular mechanisms
• Their use as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and progression
• How circRNAs may promote resistance to anticancer treatments in different types of neoplasias
• The utilization of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches

Keywords: Circular RNA, Non-coding RNA, Micro RNA, Gene regulation, Biomarker, Cancer

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.