GAS5 in Colorectal Cancer: A Multifaceted Long Non-Coding RNA in Tumor Suppression, Prognosis and Therapeutic Targeting

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world, which affects developed countries the most. Many pathways and mechanisms were attributed as the cause of CRC, and one of the targets of interest is the long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA), growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5). GAS5 have been observed to play an important role in many other cancers, and CRC is not an exception. This paper aims to understand the role and mechanisms played by GAS5 in relation to CRC progression. It is found that GAS5 have a complex role, and a major one being its competitive endogenous nature that could downregulate multiple microRNAs such as miR-485-5p, miR-137, miR-26b, miR-21, miR34a, miR-182-5p, miR-128-30, and miR-221, which have implications in tumour growth and suppression. It is also observed to be able to interact with proteins directly, such as the Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Both clinical and laboratory evidence support the fact that in the context of CRC, GAS5 overexpression is a protective factor, while its underexpression is related to worse prognosis and survival rate. This has opened up its potential as a prognostic biomarker, as well as a therapeutic target to treat multiple cancers, including CRC. However, more research is still required to answer the knowledge gap. In conclusion, GAS5 plays multiple roles and is an important player in cancer regulation, including CRC, and it holds good potential to be a biomarker and a therapeutic target.