Small Nucleolar RNAs in Solid Tumors - A Brief Review of the Literature on These Potential Biomarkers

Sep 21, 2026

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This integrative review analyzes the roles of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in solid tumors, focusing on key findings, biological functions, and clinical significance. PubMed and ScienceDirect are used with targeted search terms, while snoDB supports host gene identification and HGNC determines chromosomal location. Literature reports snoRNAs as commonly overexpressed regulators of invasion, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration, linked to prognosis such as metastasis and poorer survival.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

snoRNAs: size, structure, and subtypes

snoRNA regulation and disease relevance

Snornas in Lung Cancer

REVIEW Editorial Process: Submission:09/30/2023 Acceptance:08/18/2024 Small Nucleolar RNAs in Solid Tumors: A Brief Review of the Literature on These Potential Biomarkers Jaqueline Diniz Pinho1,2 *, Gyl Eanes Barros Silva3,4, Wanderley da Costa Silva2, Ana Gabrielly de Melo Matos4, Larissa Rodrigues de Sousa4, Eldevan da Silva Barbosa1, Marcelli Geisse de Oliveira Prata da Silva2, Susanne Suely Santos da Fonseca2, Antonio Augusto Lima Teixeira Júnior5, Amanda Marques de Sousa2, Carolina Rosal Teixeira de Souza6, André Salim Khayat2,6 Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct an integrative review, addressing the key findings, biological functions, and clinical significance of these biomolecules in solid tumors. Methods: This document analyzes the main data on the involvement of snoRNAs in solid tumors. For this, Pubmed and Science direct were used, with keywords. Additionally, a search for the host gene was conducted using the snoDB tool, and its chromosomal location was identified using the Hugo Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC). Results: According to research conducted in the literature, the majority of snoRNAs were found to be overexpressed and described as regulators of processes such as invasion, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. They are associated with clinical prognostic factors such as metastasis and worse survival. Conclusion: Therefore, it is essential to expand the investigation of snoRNAs in oncology across different types of tumors. The utilization of these biomolecules may pave the way for innovative clinical applications, such as their use in the early detection of neoplasms in non-invasive samples and as therapeutic targets. Broadening research on snoRNAs across various tumor types is crucial. Keywords: Biological function-biomarker-cancer-clinical significance-snoRNAs Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 25 (8), 2585-2591 Introduction Solid tumors are considered one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, due to their rapid tumor growth and local or distant metastasis. They pose critical challenges due to physiological characteristics and limitations in treatment options [1, 2]. Among the markers that have been extensively studied in these types of tumors are non coding RNAs (ncRNAs) . There are several families of ncRNAsin mammals, some of which are: microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) [3] . snoRNAs have an average size of 60-70 nucleotides (nt) and are widely distributed in the nucleolus of eukaryotic cells [4] . snoRNAs do not have a poly-A tail and are 5′-capped. While this modification is typical for their nuclear localization, it does not necessarily mean they are not exported from the nucleus. They can be divided into two subtypes, according to the motif present in the molecule: H/ACA (SNORA) and C/D box (SNORD) . A third group is the SCARNA, discovered in 2002, which has presents both C/D and H/ACA domainsand accumulates in Cajal bodies [5] . In vertebrates, most snoRNAs are encoded in intronic regions of coding genes or long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and a small group of snoRNAs originate from intergenic regions [6] . Since their discovery, the functional role ofsnoRNAsunder normal and pathological conditions has been investigated. SnoRNA expression can be modified by a variety of genetic alterations changes such as: a) overexpression; b) translocation; c) mutations; and d) copy number variations [7] . Epigenetic mechanisms can also alter gene expression such as: a) DNA methylation; and b) histone modification [7, 8]. Historically, the first snoRNAassociated human disease described is Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare genetic disorder characterized by hypotonia and hyperphagia [9, 10] . Currently, snoRNAs 1State University of Maranhão, Zé Doca, MA, Brazil. 2Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil. 3La

FAQs

What is the main objective of this integrative review?

To summarize key findings, biological functions, and clinical significance of snoRNAs as potential biomarkers in solid tumors.

How were relevant sources and gene information collected?

PubMed and ScienceDirect were searched using keywords; snoDB was used to identify host genes, and HGNC was used to determine chromosomal locations.

What overall biological and clinical patterns are reported for snoRNAs in solid tumors?

Most snoRNAs are described as overexpressed and as regulators of processes such as invasion, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration, with links to prognostic factors like metastasis and worse survival.

Sep 21, 2026

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