Long non-coding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs), despite not coding for any protein, can play a significant role in cancer formation, progression, and treatment outcomes. One such lncRNA of interest is MALAT1, abbreviated for metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1.
Initially noted for its impact on gene expression in non-small-cell lung cancer cells, MALAT1’s overexpression has been linked to increased metastasis risk and poor treatment outcomes. Metastasis is the ability of cancer cells to spread from the original site to other regions.
The overexpression of MALAT1 has been detected in various cancers, such as breast, cervical, and gastric cancers. In a new study, a team of researchers led by Professor Heng Xu and Professor Yang Shu from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China, delves deeply into the role of MALAT1 in blood cancer formation, metastasis, stress response, and metabolic changes.
Based on the results from pioneering preclinical studies, the review also investigated MALAT1’s potential as a therapeutic target for blood cancer. This study was published online in the Chinese Medical Journal on April 1.
When asked about the motivation behind this review, Prof. Xu says, “In addition to solid cancers, increasing evidence in recent years has also established a potential role of MALAT1 in hematological malignancies, but a systematic review is lacking. Therefore, herein we present an updated, comprehensive overview that highlights various functions of MALAT1 in hematological malignancies.”
The review highlighted the overexpression of MALAT1 in different blood cancers, including multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow), lymphoma (cancer of the disease-fighting lymphatic system), and leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming tissues). Studies investigating MALAT1 in various hematological malignancies consistently show that elevated MALAT1 levels correlate with adverse clinical outcomes.
Additionally, these studies also showed that MALAT1 plays a crucial role in regulating various aspects of blood cancer cells, including proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, stress response, nuclear export of abnormal messenger RNA called chimeric mRNA, and energy generation through metabolic pathways like glycolysis. Consequently, MALAT1 induces structural changes in these cancer cells.
Specifically, MALAT1 promotes blood cancer cell proliferation by acting as competitive endogenous RNA, which interferes with the activity of specific microRNAs that suppress cancer-causing pathways. Studies also show that MALAT1 suppresses an essential type of cell death, called apoptosis, in cancer cells.
Additionally, MALAT1 facilitates blood cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition—an event where stationary epithelial cells convert into mobile mesenchymal cells, which, in turn, allows cancer cells to spread from the original site to other body parts. Furthermore, studies have shown that MALAT1-aided nuclear export of chimeric mRNAs could sustain leukemia.
In addition, multiple studies have shown that MALAT1 contributes to chemotherapeutic drug resistance in blood cancer through various mechanisms. MALAT1 could bolster cancer cell deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair and cell cycle progression. Concurrently, MALAT1 could reduce chemotherapeutic drug uptake and even degrade these drugs.
Because of MALAT1’s significant role in promoting blood cancer, researchers highlight its potential as an effective therapeutic target. Preclinical studies using laboratory-synthesized biomolecules, called small interfering RNA (siRNA) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), have shown promising outcomes in halting cancer cell growth and prolonging survival in mice with blood cancer.
Prof. Xu adds, “However, a clinical study of using siRNA or ASO to target MALAT1 is currently lacking. Toxicological and toxicokinetic studies in non-human primates and subsequent clinical trials are still required to evaluate the safety of these treatment strategies.”
Furthermore, MALAT1 levels in the blood reflect disease status and predict treatment response, offering a non-invasive tool for managing blood cancer.
In summary, this review portrays MALAT1 as a significant player in different types of blood cancer, impacting various aspects of cancer progression. While the potential of MALAT1 in assessing the status and treating such cancer is evident, researchers highlight the need for further studies to translate these findings into effective real-world treatments, offering hope of improved outcomes for many patients globally.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-04-role-ribonucleic-acid-malat1-hematological.html
Check out our mRNA service to expedite your vaccine research
PackGene Biotech is a world-leading CRO and CDMO, excelling in AAV vectors, mRNA, plasmid DNA, and lentiviral vector solutions. Our comprehensive offerings span from vector design and construction to AAV, lentivirus, and mRNA services. With a sharp focus on early-stage drug discovery, preclinical development, and cell and gene therapy trials, we deliver cost-effective, dependable, and scalable production solutions. Leveraging our groundbreaking π-alpha 293 AAV high-yield platform, we amplify AAV production by up to 10-fold, yielding up to 1e+17vg per batch to meet diverse commercial and clinical project needs. Moreover, our tailored mRNA and LNP products and services cater to every stage of drug and vaccine development, from research to GMP production, providing a seamless, end-to-end solution.
Related News
NeuExcell Therapeutics Unveils Breakthrough in Stroke Treatment at ASGCT 2024
In a groundbreaking development, NeuExcell Therapeutics has revealed a significant breakthrough in its NXL-001 product for stroke treatment. The announcement was made at the 2024 American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting, where the company...
Unraveling CRISPR Precision: BreakTag Illuminates Pathways to Improved Gene Editing
Introduction:The quest for precision in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing takes a significant leap forward with the development of BreakTag, a method devised to enhance our understanding of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by Cas9. This breakthrough, detailed in a...
Sumitomo Pharma Announces FDA Acceptance of Supplemental New Drug Application for Vibegron in Men with Overactive Bladder Symptoms Receiving Pharmacological Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
–Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) submission based on Phase 3 study of vibegron 75mg (GEMTESA) demonstrating statistically significant reductions in daily micturition and urgency episodes– –If approved, vibegron will be the first and only beta-3 agonist for...
Herpes cure with gene editing makes progress in laboratory studies
Herpes simplex virus. Credit: CDCResearchers at Fred Hutch Cancer Center have found in pre-clinical studies that an experimental gene therapy for genital and oral herpes removed 90% or more of the infection and suppressed how much virus can be released from an...
Related Services