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Adhesion molecules mediate cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions and transmit mechanical and chemical signals among them. Various mechanisms deregulate adhesion molecules in cancer, enabling tumor cells to proliferate without restraint, invade through tissue boundaries, escape from immune surveillance, and survive in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have revealed that adhesion molecules also drive angiogenesis, reshape metabolism, and are involved in stem cell self-renewal. In this review, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of adhesion molecules in cancer and the tumor microenvironment, as well as the therapeutic strategies targeting adhesion molecules. These studies have implications for furthering our understanding of adhesion molecules in cancer and providing a paradigm for exploring novel therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death worldwide. Treatment of cancer exhausts significant medical resources, and the morbidity and mortality caused by cancer is a huge social burden. Cancer has therefore become a serious economic and social problem shared globally. As an increasingly prevalent disease in China, cancer is a huge challenge for the country's healthcare system. Based on recent data published in the Journal of the National Cancer Center on cancer incidence and mortality in China in 2016, we analyzed the current trends in cancer incidence and changes in cancer mortality and survival rate in China. And also, we examined several key risk factors for cancer pathogenesis and discussed potential countermeasures for cancer prevention and treatment in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, more than 170 modifications have been identified on RNA. Among these RNA modifications, various methylations account for two-thirds of total cases and exist on almost all RNAs. Roles of RNA modifications in cancer are garnering increasing interest. The research on m6A RNA methylation in cancer is in full swing at present. However, there are still many other popular RNA modifications involved in the regulation of gene expression post-transcriptionally besides m6A RNA methylation. In this review, we focus on several important RNA modifications including m1A, m5C, m7G, 2′-O-Me, Ψ and A-to-I editing in cancer, which will provide a new perspective on tumourigenesis by peeking into the complex regulatory network of epigenetic RNA modifications, transcript processing, and protein translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that usually occurs in people from Southeast Asia and Southern China. NPC is prone to migration and invasion, leading to poor prognosis. A large number of circular RNAs (circRNAs) exacerbate the process of metastasis in NPC; however, their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We found that the circular RNA circCCNB1, encoded by the oncogene CCNB1, was downregulated in NPC biopsies and cell lines. In vitro assays show that circCCNB1 inhibits NPC cell migration and invasion. Moreover, circCCNB1 induces a protein, nuclear factor 90 (NF90), to bind and prolong the half-life of tight junction protein 1 (TJP1) mRNA. Upregulation of TJP1 enhances tight junctions between cancer cells and inhibits NPC cell migration and invasion. This study reveals a novel biological function of circCCNB1 in the migration and invasion of NPC by enhancing the tight junctions of cancer cells by binding to NF90 proteins and TJP1 mRNA, and may provide a potential therapeutic target for NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative splicing (AS) is a key process in which precursor RNAs produce different mature RNAs, and the disorder of AS is a key factor in promoting cancer development. Compared with coding RNA, studies on the functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are far from enough. In fact, lncRNA is an important participant and regulator in the process of AS. On the one hand, lncRNAs regulate cancer progression as AS products of precursor messenger RNA (mRNA), but on the other hand, precursor lncRNA generates cancer-related abnormal splicing variants through AS. In addition, lncRNAs directly or indirectly regulate the AS events of downstream target genes, thus affecting the occurrence and development of cancer. Here, we reviewed how lncRNAs regulate AS and influence oncogenesis in different ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become a hotspot in biomedical research. This interest reflects their extensive involvement in the regulation of the expression of other genes, and their influence on the occurrence and development of a variety of human diseases. Actin filament associated protein 1-Antisense RNA 1(AFAP1-AS1) is a recently discovered oncogenic lncRNA. It is highly expressed in a variety of solid tumors, and regulates the expression of downstream genes and signaling pathways through adsorption and competing microRNAs, or by the direct binding to other proteins. Ultimately, AFAP1-AS1 promotes proliferation, chemotherapy resistance, and resistance to apoptosis, maintains stemness, and enhances invasion and migration of tumor cells. This paper summarizes the research concerning AFAP1-AS1 in malignant tumors, including the clinical application prospects of AFAP1-AS1 as a potential molecular marker and therapeutic target of malignant tumors. We also discuss the limitations in the knowledge of AFAP1-AS1 and directions of further research. AFAP1-AS1 is expected to provide an example for studies of other lncRNA molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The updated affiliations is follow: SP 1 sp NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410,013, Hunan, China SP 2 sp Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410,008, Hunan, China SP 3 sp Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Infammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410,013, Hunan, China SP 4 sp The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410,078, Hunan, China Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Correction to: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (2020) 77:4325-4346 https://doi.org/10.10... The authors of the article would like to update the affiliation of the prof. [Extracted from the article]