The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Lung Tumorigenesis: From Gene Regulation to Therapeutic Targeting

Through diverse transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of the molecular landscape of lung carcinogenesis. This review summarizes the latest findings on the biogenesis, classification, and cellular localization of lncRNAs, detailing how their altered expression affects oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and resistance to therapy in lung cancer. It also explores the dual functions of tumor-suppressive and oncogenic lncRNAs, the involvement of exosomal lncRNAs in metastasis and microenvironmental changes, and the growing importance of circulating lncRNAs as biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis. Finally, novel therapies targeting pathogenic lncRNAs were examined, including steric inhibition, CRISPR-based regulation, RNA interference, and antisense oligonucleotides. The analyzed results emphasize the critical function of lncRNAs in the advancement of lung cancer and highlight their promise as tools for precise diagnosis and as targets for future therapies.