LncRNAs in the Development, Progression, and Therapy Resistance of Hormone-Dependent Cancer

Abstract

Sex hormones play crucial roles in the development and maintenance of sexual characteristics as well as the tumorigenesis of hormone-dependent cancers. While endocrine therapies targeting hormone receptors or hormone production are primarily effective against hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancers, the emergence of therapy-resistant cancers after long-term treatment is a serious clinical issue. Therefore, the elucidation of mechanisms underlying endocrine therapy resistance is the first step toward the development of alternative clinical management for the advanced diseases. Recent advances in RNA research dissected critical long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that play roles in the pathophysiology of hormone-dependent cancers through their unique molecular mechanisms. The mutual regulation of these lncRNAs and hormone signaling pathways has been elaborately studied in breast and prostate cancers. This chapter focuses on the history and future perspective of lncRNAs and hormone-dependent cancers.