Current advances and future perspectives on the functional roles and clinical implications of circular RNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: more influential than expected

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal cancers with high incidence and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to identify novel sensitive and specific biomarkers for ESCC detection and treatment. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of noncoding RNAs featured by their covalently closed circular structure. This special structure makes circRNAs more stable in mammalian cells, coupled with their great abundance and tissue specificity, suggesting circRNAs may present enormous potential to be explored as valuable prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for tumor. Mounting studies verified the critical roles of circRNAs in regulating ESCC cells malignant behaviors. Here, we summarized the current progresses in a handful of aberrantly expressed circRNAs, and elucidated their biological function and clinical significance in ESCC, and introduced a series of databases for circRNA research. With the improved advancement in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics technique, new frontiers of circRNAs will pave the path for the development of precision treatment in ESCC.

Automated summary

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive gastrointestinal cancer. Identifying sensitive and specific biomarkers for ESCC detection and treatment is crucial. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have a unique circular structure, making them more stable and potentially valuable prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for ESCC. Multiple studies have shown the important roles of circRNAs in regulating ESCC cells. This article summarizes the current progress in aberrantly expressed circRNAs, their biological functions, clinical significance in ESCC, and introduces databases for circRNA research. With advancements in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics techniques, circRNAs offer new possibilities for precision treatment of ESCC.