Emerging role of circular RNAs in the pathobiology of lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the leading causes of cancer mortality and incidence in both sexes. Different classes of transcripts have been proposed as molecular markers in this type of cancer. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of transcripts with circular enclosed and stable configuration. These transcripts are stable in the blood, thus can be used as markers for detection of disorders. Moreover, dysregulation of circRNAs in the affected tissues of patients with different cancers shows their possible roles in the carcinogenesis. Several circRNAs including circPRKC1, circFGFR1, hsa-circ-0020123 and circTP63 have been found to be up-regulated in lung cancer samples. Meanwhile, cir-ITCH, hsa_circ_100395, hsa_circ_0033155, circRNF13, circNOL10, circ-UBR5, circPTK2 and circCRIM1 have been shown to be down-regulated in lung cancer tissues compared with noncancerous counterparts. Finally, prognostic values of circPRKC1, circFGFR1, has-circ-00120123, circTP63, circ_0067934, CDR1as, hsa_circRN_103809 and some other circRNAs have been appraised in lung cancer. In the current manuscript, we describe the impact and utility of circRNAs in the pathology of lung cancer.