Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer

Abstract Background Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are transcribed RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but regulate diverse biological processes. Dysregulation of ncRNAs is implicated in cancer, where chemical modifications such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and glycosylatio...

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Main Authors: Lulu Yang, Boyang Wang, Zhaohui Gong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1462399425100070/type/journal_article
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author Lulu Yang
Boyang Wang
Zhaohui Gong
author_facet Lulu Yang
Boyang Wang
Zhaohui Gong
author_sort Lulu Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are transcribed RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but regulate diverse biological processes. Dysregulation of ncRNAs is implicated in cancer, where chemical modifications such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and glycosylation critically influence their function. However, these modifications, as precise regulators of ncRNA activity, have been less well-documented and understood in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Methods This article systematically analyzes the roles of chemically modified ncRNAs – ribosomal RNA (rRNA), circular RNA (circRNA) and others – in cancer biology, synthesizingevidence from published studies on their mechanistic involvement in malignancy. Results We reveal how specific chemical modifications drive oncogenesis, impact cancer diagnosis, and affect therapeutic responses, while also exploring their prognostic potential. Furthermore, we highlight emerging connections between ncRNA epitranscriptomics and cancer. Conclusions This review provides novel insights into ncRNA epitranscriptomics as emerging biomarkers and intervention targets for precision oncology.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-e41c1e04afbc44ffa327001066e27aae2025-08-20T12:57:28ZengCambridge University PressExpert Reviews in Molecular Medicine1462-39942025-01-012710.1017/erm.2025.10007Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancerLulu Yang0Boyang Wang1Zhaohui Gong2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5662-2752Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, https://ror.org/03et85d35 Ningbo University , Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, https://ror.org/03et85d35 Ningbo University , Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, https://ror.org/03et85d35 Ningbo University , Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaAbstract Background Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are transcribed RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but regulate diverse biological processes. Dysregulation of ncRNAs is implicated in cancer, where chemical modifications such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and glycosylation critically influence their function. However, these modifications, as precise regulators of ncRNA activity, have been less well-documented and understood in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Methods This article systematically analyzes the roles of chemically modified ncRNAs – ribosomal RNA (rRNA), circular RNA (circRNA) and others – in cancer biology, synthesizingevidence from published studies on their mechanistic involvement in malignancy. Results We reveal how specific chemical modifications drive oncogenesis, impact cancer diagnosis, and affect therapeutic responses, while also exploring their prognostic potential. Furthermore, we highlight emerging connections between ncRNA epitranscriptomics and cancer. Conclusions This review provides novel insights into ncRNA epitranscriptomics as emerging biomarkers and intervention targets for precision oncology. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1462399425100070/type/journal_articlecancerchemical modificationdiagnosisnon-coding RNAtherapy
spellingShingle Lulu Yang
Boyang Wang
Zhaohui Gong
Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
cancer
chemical modification
diagnosis
non-coding RNA
therapy
title Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer
title_full Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer
title_fullStr Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer
title_full_unstemmed Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer
title_short Chemically modified non-coding RNAs in cancer
title_sort chemically modified non coding rnas in cancer
topic cancer
chemical modification
diagnosis
non-coding RNA
therapy
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1462399425100070/type/journal_article
work_keys_str_mv AT luluyang chemicallymodifiednoncodingrnasincancer
AT boyangwang chemicallymodifiednoncodingrnasincancer
AT zhaohuigong chemicallymodifiednoncodingrnasincancer