The role of ncRNAs in solid tumors prognosis: from laboratory to clinical utility

Abstract

Today we know that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent most of the transcribed human genome and participate in relevant cellular processes. NcRNAs regulate from RNA transcription to protein translation, have important epigenetic roles or facilitate protein–protein interactions among other functions. In consequence, their dysregulation has been associated with tumor development and progression. Recently, their expression has also been detected in body fluids, opening the use of circulating ncRNAs for diagnosis and for evaluation and monitoring cancer prognosis.