The potential of circular RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastric cancer - A comprehensive review

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia

Gastric cancer represents a major global health challenge, where improved early detection is essential to enhance survival. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent advances showing that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are dysregulated in gastric cancer and are detectable with high stability in body fluids such as blood and urine. It highlights circRNA interactions with microRNAs, proteins, and other regulatory molecules, and summarizes technical approaches and clinical evidence supporting circRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, while outlining key translational challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Biogenesis and function of circRNAs

Journal of Advanced Research 75 (2025) 311–330 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Advanced Research journal [homepage: www. elsevier. com/locate/jare](homepage: www. elsevier. com/locate/jare) The potential of circular RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastric cancer: A comprehensive review Junlin Pu a, Xiuli Yan b, ⇑, Hui Zhang a, ⇑ a Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China b Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China h i g h l i g h t s Circular RNAs play a signiﬁcant role in the development and progression of gastric cancer. Circular RNAs are differentially expressed in healthy and gastric cancer populations. Circular RNAs interact with microRNAs, proteins, and other molecules involved in gastric cancer. Research techniques of circular RNAscan advance gastric cancer research and its clinical applications. Circular RNAs have potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. g r a p h i c a l a b s t r a c t The schematic representation of circRNA biogenesis, functional mechanisms, and clinical applications in gastric cancer. (Created with [BioRender.com](BioRender.com)) a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 11 July 2024 Revised 22 November 2024 Accepted 26 November 2024 Available online 29 November 2024 Keywords: Gastric cancer Circular RNAs Biomarkers Therapeutic targets Potential a b s t r a c t Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a global health concern, contributing signiﬁcantly to cancer-related mortality rates. Early detection is vital for improving patient outcomes. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as crucial players in the development and progression of various cancers, including GC. Aim: This comprehensive review underscores the promising potential ofcircRNAs as innovative biomarkers for the early diagnosis of GC, as well as their possible utility as therapeutic targets for this lifethreatening disease. Speciﬁcally, the review focuses on recent ﬁndings, mechanistic insights, and clinical applications of circRNAs in GC. Key Scientiﬁc Concepts of Review: Dysregulation of circRNAs has been consistently observed in GC tissues, offering potential diagnostic value due to their stability in bodily ﬂuids such as blood and urine. For instance, circPTPN22 and hsa_circ_000200. Furthermore, the expression levels of circRNAs such as circCUL2, hsa_circ_0000705 and circSHKBP1 have shown strong associations with critical clinical features Abbreviations: GC, Gastric cancer; circRNAs, Circular RNAs; TNM, Tumor-node-metastasis; miRNAs, MicroRNAs; CEA, Carcinoembryonic antigen; CA, Carbohydrate antigen; KK-LC-1, Kita-Kyushu lung cancer antigen-1; GHR, Growth hormone receptor; FR-b, Folate receptor b; hnRNPM, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M; premRNA, Pre-messenger RNA; ecircRNAs, Exonic circRNAs; ciRNAs, Intronic circRNAs; EIciRNAs, Exon-intron circRNAs; RNA-seq, RNA sequencing; HCC, Hepatocellular carcinoma; IRES, Internal ribosomal entry site; circ-E-Cad, Circular E-cadherin; RT-PCR, Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; m6A, N6-methyladenosine; FISH,ﬂuorescence in situ hybridization; ddPCR, droplet digital PCR; Hp, Helicobacter pylori; ORF, Open reading frame; SUMO2, Small ubiquitin-like modiﬁer 2; XPO4, Exportin 4; MVBs, Multivesicular bodies; ILVs, Intraluminal vesicles; ROC, Receiver operating characteristic; AUC, Area under the curve; EMT, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; ESCC, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; CRC, Colorectal cancer; CC, Cervical cancer; LC, Lung cancer; qRT-PCR, Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; DDP, Cisplatin; 5-FU, 5-ﬂuorouracil; PTX, Paclitaxel; DR, Doxorubicin; MTA, Pemetrexed; OXA, Oxaliplatin; AFP, Alpha-fetoprotein; LncRNAs, Long noncodi

FAQs

Why are circular RNAs considered important for gastric cancer early detection?

CircRNAs are consistently dysregulated in gastric cancer tissues and show stability in bodily fluids such as blood and urine, supporting diagnostic potential.

How do circRNAs contribute mechanistically to gastric cancer?

CircRNAs interact with microRNAs, proteins, and other molecules involved in gastric cancer development, progression, and therapeutic resistance.

What are the main challenges to clinical use of circRNA-based biomarkers?

Translational gaps include standardizing detection methods, defining cutoff values for diagnostic accuracy, and validating findings in larger patient cohorts.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia