MACC1-AS1: An Emerging Star in the Field of Tumor Biology with Bright Futures in Medicine

Long noncoding RNAs act as modulators, with significant influence on a wide array of biological functions. They form an extensive communication network between genes and contribute to the pathophysiology of various human diseases, especially cancer. A growing body of research has demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs, acting either as promoters or inhibitors of oncogenesis, are intricately linked to the initiation and progression of cancer. Metastasis-associated colon cancer 1 antisense RNA1 (MACC1-AS1) is a newly identified long noncoding RNA that is abnormally expressed in various types of human tumors. Poor clinical characteristics, such as larger tumor size, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and a lower overall survival rate, are linked to the overexpression of MACC1-AS1. MACC1-AS1 exerts a complex regulatory function: It acts as a competitive RNA, interacts with multiple proteins, and influences diverse pathways, leading to tumor development. It is essential to note the decreased efficacy of conventional chemotherapy drugs, which diminishes the efficacy of cancer treatment. Ongoing research has been highlighting the multifaceted functions of MACC1-AS1, and thus, it is required to unravel its exact molecular mechanisms. In this overarching review, we explore the significance of MACC1-AS1 as a potential cancer treatment target and biomarker. This study can potentially play an important role in the advancement of the field and confirm its potential clinical applicability.