lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a common disease associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although immuno-therapy approaches such as adoptive T-cell therapy and immune checkpoint blockade have been investigated for the treatment of bladder cancer, their off-target effects and ability to affect only single targets have led to clinical outcomes that are far from satisfactory. Therefore, it is important to identify novel targets that can effectively control tumor growth and metastasis. It is well known that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are powerful reg-ulators of gene expression. Increasing evidence has shown that dysregulated lncRNAs in bladder cancer are involved in cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this review, we focus on the roles and underlying mechanisms of lncRNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in the regulation of bladder cancer progression. In addition, we discuss the potential of targeting lncRNA-mediated ceRNA networks to overcome cancer treatment resistance and its as-sociation with clinicopathological features and outcomes in bladder cancer patients. We hope this review will stimulate research to develop more effective therapeutic approaches for bladder cancer treatment.

Automated summary

Bladder cancer is a common and deadly disease, and current immunotherapy approaches have limited efficacy. This review focuses on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in bladder cancer progression and their potential as therapeutic targets. The review also discusses the association between lncRNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and clinicopathological features and outcomes in bladder cancer patients.