In contrast to the amazing exponential growth in knowledge related to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in cell homeostasis or dysregulated pathological states, little is known so far about the links between the chemical modifications occurring in lncRNAs and their function. Generally, ncRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, but
RNA modifications occurring in lncRNAs generate an additional layer of gene expression control. Chemical modifications that have been reported in correlation with lncRNAs include m⁶A, m⁵C and pseudouridylation. Up to date, several chemically modified long non-coding transcripts have been identified and associated with different pathologies, including
cancers. This review presents the current level of knowledge on the most studied
cancer-related lncRNAs, such as the
metastasis associated
lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), the Hox transcript antisense intergenic
RNA (HOTAIR), or the
X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), as well as more recently discovered forms, and their potential roles in different types of
cancer. Understanding how these
RNA modifications occur, and the correlation between
lncRNA changes in structure and function, may open up new therapeutic possibilities in
cancer.