The importance of the circRNA/Wnt axis in gliomas: Biological functions and clinical opportunities

Pathol Res Pract. 2024 Sep:261:155510. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155510. Epub 2024 Jul 31.

Abstract

Gliomas are among the most common cancers in the central nervous system, arising through various signaling pathways. One significant pathway is Wnt signaling, a tightly regulated process that plays a crucial role in gliomagenesis and development. The current study aims to explore the relationship between circular RNAs (circRNAs) and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gliomas, considering the growing recognition of circRNAs in disease pathogenesis. A comprehensive review of recent research was conducted to investigate the roles of circRNAs in gliomas, focusing on their expression patterns and interactions with the Wnt signaling pathway. The analysis included studies examining circRNAs' function as microRNA sponges and their impact on glioma biology. The findings reveal that circRNAs are differentially expressed in gliomas and significantly influence the occurrence, growth, and metastasis of these tumors. Specifically, circRNAs interact with the Wnt signaling pathway, affecting glioma development and progression. This interaction highlights the importance of circRNAs in glioma pathophysiology. Understanding the regulatory network involving circRNAs and Wnt signaling offers valuable insights into glioma pathophysiology. CircRNAs hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and may serve as targets for novel therapeutic strategies in glioma treatment.

Keywords: Biomarker; Circular RNAs; Glioma; Mechanism; Signal transduction; Wnt.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Glioma* / genetics
  • Glioma* / metabolism
  • Glioma* / pathology
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • RNA, Circular* / genetics
  • RNA, Circular* / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway* / genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway* / physiology

Substances

  • RNA, Circular
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs