Non-coding RNAs: modulators of signaling pathways and prognostic biomarkers in digestive system cancer

Digestive system cancer is one of the most lethal forms of aggressive cancer in the world. Although diagnosis and treatment methods have improved, most patients have poor survival expectations due to late detection and rapid disease progress. Some recent studies have delved into the molecular level of the mechanism of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) intervention in digestive system cancer and have conducted a more in-depth and comprehensive discussion. At the same time, it has also been shown that ncRNA plays an important role in early detection and targeted treatment of digestive system cancer. This review summarizes the roles of ncRNAs in modulating multiple key pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT, thereby influencing diverse processes such as tumor proliferation, invasion, immune microenvironment remodeling, glycolytic metabolism, and macrophage polarization. Additionally, the prognostic significance of ncRNAs in digestive system cancers is summarized and appraised. According to the current review, ncRNA is expected to become a potential biological marker and intervention target for digestive system cancer, helping the treatment of digestive system cancer to move further towards precision medicine.