The role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their potential connection with cancer

Abstract Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, claiming numerous lives annually and posing complex hurdles in management. The disease's multifaceted nature, combined with disparities in healthcare infrastructure and socioeconomic factors worldwide, complicates effective treatment. With alarming mortality rates, there is an urgent need to enhance prevention and early detection strategies. Early detection not only enables less invasive treatments but also improves the chances of successful recovery, highlighting the importance of proactive approaches. Lung cancer ranks highest in mortality rates, followed by breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Cancer is often seen as both a "genetic disease," involving gene mutations, and an "environmental disease," influenced by various environmental factors affecting gene expression. Metabolic alterations are a hallmark of cancer, and disruptions in cellular stability and function significantly contribute to its progression. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles across cancers, with diverse structures and functions. They act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors depending on the cancer type, intricately modulating genetic and epigenetic processes. Recent studies challenge the perception of ncRNAs' insignificance, revealing their substantial impact on regulatory mechanisms. Indeed, ncRNAs intricately connect genetic networks, influencing vital protein effectors that dictate cellular responses and fate. Consequently, dysregulated ncRNAs play a pivotal role in disease pathogenesis, acting as either oncogenic drivers or tumor suppressors through aberrant expression in various cancers.