CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new category of non-coding RNAs implicated in the molecular pathology of cancer, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Circular intronic RNAs (ciRNAs), exonic circRNAs (ecircRNAs), and exon-intron circRNAs (EIciRNAs) are three primary types of circRNAs resulted...

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Main Authors: Jun-Lin Lv, Ru Ma, Yu-Shan Ren, Qing-Yue Liang, He-Meng Zhang, Gui-Cheng Dong, Jie Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1555002/full
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author Jun-Lin Lv
Jun-Lin Lv
Ru Ma
Ru Ma
Yu-Shan Ren
Qing-Yue Liang
He-Meng Zhang
Gui-Cheng Dong
Jie Li
author_facet Jun-Lin Lv
Jun-Lin Lv
Ru Ma
Ru Ma
Yu-Shan Ren
Qing-Yue Liang
He-Meng Zhang
Gui-Cheng Dong
Jie Li
author_sort Jun-Lin Lv
collection DOAJ
description Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new category of non-coding RNAs implicated in the molecular pathology of cancer, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Circular intronic RNAs (ciRNAs), exonic circRNAs (ecircRNAs), and exon-intron circRNAs (EIciRNAs) are three primary types of circRNAs resulted from the circularization of extron and intron which give rise to the distinct biology of circRNAs. Due to their unique structure and biogenesis, circRNAs exhibit tissue- and cell-specific expression profiles. Recent studies have highlighted that in OSCC, some circRNAs are differentially expressed compared with adjacent normal tissues, with these variables potentially influencing OSCC initiation and progression through diverse mechanisms. Furthermore, earlier clinical trials have indicated that circRNAs could be considered as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for OSCC. It should be noted that many circRNAs modulate tumor cells proliferation/apoptosis and metastasis via regulating gene transcription and post transcriptional expressions. Furthermore, certain circRNAs function as effective microRNA sponges, thereby inhibiting oncogenic pathways in OSCC. In summary, the discovery of circRNAs has unveiled new avenues for cancer research, particularly in OSCC. This review provides an overview of circRNA biogenesis, their biological functions, and their roles as differentially expressed molecules in OSCC, emphasizing their potential for clinical application and warranting further investigation into their functional and therapeutic relevance.
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spelling doaj-art-1d9cf7e666a64f1090ce4815050b6dcd2025-08-20T02:02:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15550021555002CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)Jun-Lin Lv0Jun-Lin Lv1Ru Ma2Ru Ma3Yu-Shan Ren4Qing-Yue Liang5He-Meng Zhang6Gui-Cheng Dong7Jie Li8College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaSchool of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaCollege of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaSchool of Stomatology, Zhangzhou Health Vocational College, Zhangzhou, Fujian, ChinaCollege of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaCollege of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, ChinaCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new category of non-coding RNAs implicated in the molecular pathology of cancer, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Circular intronic RNAs (ciRNAs), exonic circRNAs (ecircRNAs), and exon-intron circRNAs (EIciRNAs) are three primary types of circRNAs resulted from the circularization of extron and intron which give rise to the distinct biology of circRNAs. Due to their unique structure and biogenesis, circRNAs exhibit tissue- and cell-specific expression profiles. Recent studies have highlighted that in OSCC, some circRNAs are differentially expressed compared with adjacent normal tissues, with these variables potentially influencing OSCC initiation and progression through diverse mechanisms. Furthermore, earlier clinical trials have indicated that circRNAs could be considered as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for OSCC. It should be noted that many circRNAs modulate tumor cells proliferation/apoptosis and metastasis via regulating gene transcription and post transcriptional expressions. Furthermore, certain circRNAs function as effective microRNA sponges, thereby inhibiting oncogenic pathways in OSCC. In summary, the discovery of circRNAs has unveiled new avenues for cancer research, particularly in OSCC. This review provides an overview of circRNA biogenesis, their biological functions, and their roles as differentially expressed molecules in OSCC, emphasizing their potential for clinical application and warranting further investigation into their functional and therapeutic relevance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1555002/fullcircular RNAoral squamous cell carcinomatumorigenesismechanismbiomarkers
spellingShingle Jun-Lin Lv
Jun-Lin Lv
Ru Ma
Ru Ma
Yu-Shan Ren
Qing-Yue Liang
He-Meng Zhang
Gui-Cheng Dong
Jie Li
CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
Frontiers in Oncology
circular RNA
oral squamous cell carcinoma
tumorigenesis
mechanism
biomarkers
title CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
title_full CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
title_fullStr CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
title_full_unstemmed CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
title_short CircRNA: the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
title_sort circrna the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma oscc
topic circular RNA
oral squamous cell carcinoma
tumorigenesis
mechanism
biomarkers
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1555002/full
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