Circular RNAs in the chemoresistance of triple‐negative breast cancer: A systematic review

Abstract This study aims to assess studies on circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the chemoresistance of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) and provide relevant references for the development of new TNBC chemotherapy sensitivity biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, and four Chinese databases were searched up to January 27, 2023, and studies related to TNBC chemoresistance were included. The basic characteristics of the studies and the mechanisms of circRNAs in regulating TNBC chemoresistance were analyzed. A total of 28 studies published between 2018 and 2023 were included, and the chemotherapeutics included adriamycin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, 5‐fluorouracil, lapatinib, and so forth. A total of 30 circRNAs were identified, 86.67% ( n = 26) of these circRNAs were reported to act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges to regulate chemotherapy sensitivity, while only two circRNAs (circRNA‐MTO1 and circRNA‐CREIT) interacted with proteins. A total of 14, 12, and 2 circRNAs were reported to be associated with chemoresistance to adriamycin, taxanes, and 5‐fluorouracil, respectively. Six circRNAs were found to act as miRNA sponges that promote chemotherapy resistance by regulating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. CircRNAs participate in the regulation of TNBC chemoresistance and can be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving chemotherapy sensitivity. However, further studies are needed to confirm the role of circRNAs in TNBC chemoresistance.