Transforming Cancer Treatment: The Clinical Potentials of Non-Coding RNAs

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), once considered the 'dark matter' of the genome, have now emerged as pivotal regulators in cancer biology and therapy. Advances in multi-omics approaches have shed light on the complexity of ncRNA functions, ranging from microRNAs (miRNAs) to the lesser-known small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These molecules not only regulate gene expression during tumorigenesis and metastasis but also play critical roles in tumor-immune interactions and drug resistance. With the rapid evolution of technologies like liquid biopsies, which can detect ncRNAs circulating in the blood, and artificial intelligence algorithms capable of predicting ncRNA functions, the clinical utility of these molecules is rapidly expanding.

This Research Topic will explore how ncRNAs can be leveraged to inform clinical decision-making, from diagnostics to therapeutics, with a focus on real-world applications in oncology. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies and multi-omics data, researchers are beginning to understand how ncRNAs could act as master regulators that integrate signals across various biological pathways, offering a new avenue for precision cancer treatment.

We seek submissions that highlight both theoretical advancements and clinical outcomes related to the application of ncRNAs in oncology. Topics of interest include:
- Integration of multi-omics approaches to uncover novel ncRNA roles in cancer biology.
- Technological innovations in detecting and quantifying ncRNAs, including liquid biopsy advancements.
- Development of ncRNA-based combination therapies for overcoming resistance to standard cancer treatments.
- Clinical trials involving ncRNA-targeted therapies across multiple cancer types.
- Multi-functional roles of less-explored ncRNAs (snoRNAs, piRNAs) in tumor-immune interactions and cancer progression.

By focusing on emerging technologies and multi-omics integration, this collection aims to showcase the potential of ncRNAs in guiding personalized cancer therapy, moving the field toward real-world clinical implementation.

Please note manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases that are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of the scope of this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Non-coding RNAs, Long-non-coding RNAs, therapeutic target, immune modulation, antisense oligonucleotides, clinical trials, personalized medicine

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.