Long non-coding RNAs: emerging players in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common kind of primary bone tumors with high morbidity in infants and adolescents. While the molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma has gained considerable attention, the mechanisms underlying its initiation and progression remain unclear. Recent studies have discovered that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in multiply biological processes including cell development, differentiation, proliferation, invasion, and migration. Deregulated expression of lncRNAs has been found in cancers including osteosarcoma. This review summarized the deregulation and functional role of lncRNAs in osteosarcoma and their potential application for diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.