LncRNA-DANCR: A Key Player in Colorectal Cancer Development and Progression

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a significant global health issue, being the third most common cancer worldwide and the second most frequent cause of cancerrelated deaths. It occurs when cells in the colon or rectum grow uncontrollably, often developing from precancerous polyps. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle, contribute to the disease. Recent research has focused on molecular targeted therapies and non-coding RNAs, particularly long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which play a critical role in regulating CRC development and progression. DANCR interacts with microRNAs, proteins, and mRNAs, influencing gene expression and stability. DANCR functions as a promoter of tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, disease progression, and prognosis in various cancers. In CRC, DANCR influences both progression and clinical outcomes. This review aims to comprehensively explore the current knowledge regarding DANCR in CRC, including its molecular characteristics, expression patterns, and involvement in regulatory mechanisms, as well as its potential use as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool.