The Mechanisms of Non-coding RNAs in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Progression

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent approximately 98% of the human genome and serve as critical regulators in cancer biology. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted roles of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in orchestrating key oncological processes such as immune system evasion, metastatic progression, and tumor angiogenesis. We analyze their paradoxical functions as both tumor promoters and suppressors, highlighting mechanistic insights from studies of HOTAIR, miR-21, and circRNA_0084043 across diverse malignancies. The review further evaluates their clinical utility as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, while critically addressing implementation challenges including delivery limitations, off-target interactions, and regulatory network complexity. We discuss innovative solutions such as bioengineered exosomal delivery platforms and targeted chemical modifications that show promise for clinical translation. This analysis synthesizes current understanding of ncRNA-mediated cancer regulation and outlines strategic directions for therapeutic development.