Background: Urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) which has gained more attention in recent years due to its aberrant expression in embryogenesis and a broad range of cancer tissues and cells. Importantly, multiple studies have shown that UCA1 plays oncogenic roles in tumor growth and metastasis, and it may act as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for human cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of UCA1 in cancer initiation, progression and metastasis remains incompletely understood. Thus, gaining a better understanding of the functional mechanism of UCA1 in cancer onset and progression is of the utmost significance for evaluating the potential application of UCA1. Results and discussion: In this review, we discuss UCA1 expression profiling, isoform, expression regulation, biological role and mechanism for UCA1 tumor-promoting effect. We further discuss the potential clinical application of UCA1 as a promising diagnostic biomarker or therapeutic target for human cancers. Conclusion: UCA1 functions as an oncogenic lncRNA in several malignancies, and it might become a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for human cancers.
CITATION STYLE
Xue, M., Chen, W., & Li, X. (2016, July 1). Urothelial cancer associated 1: a long noncoding RNA with a crucial role in cancer. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-015-2042-y
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