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Mechanisms of drug resistance mediated by long non-coding RNAs in non-small-cell lung cancer

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 28, pages 175–187 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent form of lung cancer and has a poor five-year survival rate of 15%. Chemotherapy and targeted therapies have significantly improved patients’ prognosis. Nevertheless, after a successful initial response, some patients relapse when cancer cells become resistant to drug treatments, representing an important clinical limitation. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms of drug resistance is of significant importance. Recently, considerable attention has been given to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a heterogeneous class of regulatory molecules that play essential roles in tumorigenesis by modulating genes and signalling pathways involved in cell growth, metastasis and drug response. In this article, we review recent research findings on the role of lncRNAs in drug resistance in NSCLC, highlighting their mechanisms of action.

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Fig. 1: Resistance to cisplatin mediated by lncRNAs.
Fig. 2: Resistance to EGFR-TKIs mediated by lncRNAs.
Fig. 3: Resistance to ALK-TKIs and immunotherapy mediated by lncRNAs.

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Funding

This work was funded by a Cancer Research MI core grant (C5759/A20971).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transcriptional Networks in Lung Cancer Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Manchester, SK10 4TG, UK

    Manuela La Montagna, Lucy Ginn & Michela Garofalo

  2. Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence at Manchester and University College London, London, UK

    Manuela La Montagna, Lucy Ginn & Michela Garofalo

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  1. Manuela La Montagna
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MLM wrote the manuscript and generated the figures and table. LG reviewed and edited the text. MG conceived the review and edited the text.

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Correspondence to Michela Garofalo.

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La Montagna, M., Ginn, L. & Garofalo, M. Mechanisms of drug resistance mediated by long non-coding RNAs in non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 28, 175–187 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41417-020-00214-3

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