LINC00922: A Critical Oncogenic Long Non-Coding RNA Involved in Cancer Progression, Chemotherapy Resistance, and microRNA Regulation

Abstract

LINC00922, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) located at chromosome 16q21, has emerged as a crucial regulatory molecule in cancer progression, chemotherapy resistance, and immune modulation. This lncRNA is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm, with limited expression in the nucleus and exosomes. Elevated LINC00922 expression levels are associated with poor patient prognosis across various cancer types. LINC00922 can regulate cancer cell behavior through complex gene regulatory networks, including interactions with several key signaling pathways, such as the Wnt, telomerase, and immune response pathways. Importantly, LINC00922 participates in multiple competing endogenous RNA axes, influencing the expression patterns of target microRNAs like miR-424-5p and miR-874-3p, which in turn regulate important cancer-related genes, such as TFAP2C and GDPD5 contributing to chemotherapy resistance. LINC00922 can also promote immune cell infiltration in tumors, with its high expression levels correlating with extensive immune cell presence, suggesting potential for cancer immunotherapy. Despite these promising findings, the upstream regulatory factors of LINC00922 remain poorly understood and further research is needed to fully uncover its clinical potential. In this review, we highlight the multifaceted roles of LINC00922 in cancer, emphasizing the need for future studies to explore its potential as a therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker.