Long non-coding RNAs in castration-resistant and neuroendocrine prostate cancer: Potential role and therapeutic impact

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men worldwide. The disease is heterogeneous in nature exhibiting various clinical subtypes and genetic/transcriptomic features. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts of more than 200 nucleotides that does not encode any protein and play important role in several biological processes as well as pathologic states. Deregulation of lncRNAs has been associated with human diseases. In prostate cancer, numerous key lncRNAs have been identified as novel players that contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease primarily regulated by androgen and its cognate receptor. The present review attempts to summarize the potential role of lncRNA and their mechanisms of action in prostate cancer with particular focus on lncRNAs regulated by androgen receptor expressed in castration-resistant and neuroendocrine differentiated subtypes. We also emphasize the potential of these lncRNAs for their development as therapeutic targets in prostate cancer.