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Int J Med Sci 2022; 19(14):2033-2043. doi:10.7150/ijms.74713 This issue Cite

Review

CircRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: characteristic, functions and clinical significance

Yujun Zhou¹, Xingkang Mao², Rui Peng³, Dousheng Bai^3✉

1. Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Huaihua First People's Hospital, Huaihua, Hunan, P. R. China.
2. Cardiovascular Center, Huizhou First Municipal People's Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
3. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.

✉ Corresponding author: Dousheng Bai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R.China. E-mail: drbaidoushengedu.cn.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and serious types of cancer worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding RNA with important biological functions. In recent years, multiple circRNAs have been found to be involved in the biological processes of tumorigenesis and tumor development. Increasing evidence has shown that circRNAs also play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of HCC. However, the specific molecular mechanism of circRNAs in HCC has not been fully elucidated. The present review systematically summarized the classification and basic characteristics of circRNAs, their biological functions and their role in the occurrence and development of HCC. By summarizing the previous studies on circRNAs in HCC, this study aimed to indicate potential approaches to improving the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, circRNAs, molecular sponge, circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis

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