INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF
CancerGenetics
The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Chemotherapy Drug Toxicity
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Hosna jami al ahmadi,1 Fatemeh Keikha,2 Dr. Homa Mollaei,3,*
1. University of Birjand
2. University of Birjand
3. University of Birjand
- Introduction: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but play crucial roles as regulators in various biological processes, including gene expression regulation, transcription control, and mRNA stabilization. Recent studies have highlighted the significant role that ncRNAs can play in modulating cellular responses to chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy, a primary cancer treatment method, utilizes chemical agents to inhibit the growth and division of cancer cells. However, these drugs often come with substantial side effects due to their toxicity in healthy cells. Chemotherapy-induced toxicity can manifest in various forms, such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. NcRNAs are broadly categorized into two groups: small ncRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). Small ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), primarily regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In contrast, lncRNAs, which are longer than 200 nucleotides, have diverse functions, including transcriptional regulation, RNA processing, and protein interactions. This review article aims to compile and discuss the role of ncRNAs in chemotherapy-induced drug toxicity.
- Methods: The information presented in this review was gathered from various scientific databases, including PubMed, MDPI, ScienceDirect, BMC, NCBI, and Google Scholar. Relevant studies were identified based on their recent publication dates, relevance to the topic, and the provision of experimental or clinical evidence regarding the role of ncRNAs in drug-induced toxicity.
- Results: MiRNAs, a type of small ncRNA, have been identified as key regulators of gene expression and can influence cellular responses to chemotherapy drugs. For instance, miR-34a is recognized as a tumor suppressor that enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy by regulating genes related to the cell cycle and apoptosis. Conversely, certain miRNAs, such as miR-21 and miR-155, can promote resistance to chemotherapy by suppressing tumor suppressor genes, thereby exacerbating drug toxicity in healthy tissues. LncRNAs, another category of ncRNAs, have also been implicated in cellular responses to chemotherapy. LncRNAs like HOTAIR and MALAT1 can interact with specific proteins or other ncRNAs, affecting cellular processes such as epigenetics, translation, and inflammatory responses. For example, HOTAIR has been shown to increase chemotherapy resistance by inhibiting tumor suppressor pathways, indirectly enhancing drug toxicity in healthy tissues. NcRNAs can influence chemotherapy-induced toxicity by interacting with various signaling pathways. For instance, miRNAs can target components of the AKT/PI3K, MAPK, and NF-κB pathways to modulate cellular responses to drug-induced stress. Similarly, lncRNAs can affect drug toxicity by regulating the expression of genes related to key signaling pathways, including those involved in apoptosis and cell differentiation.
- Conclusion: NcRNAs play a critical role in the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs, acting as key regulators of cellular processes. Targeting specific ncRNAs represents a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce drug toxicity and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments. For example, using antagomiRs to inhibit miRNAs associated with drug resistance is a hopeful approach in this area. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs can lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve the quality of life for cancer patients. However, further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between ncRNAs and various signaling pathways.
- Keywords: Non-Coding RNAs, Chemotherapy, Drug Resistance, Chemotherapy Drug Toxicity
