Circular RNAs (
circRNAs) are covalently closed
RNA molecules that play important regulatory roles in various
tumors.
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant
tumors in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, more and more
circRNAs have been found to be abnormally expressed and involved in the occurrence and development of PCa, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration,
metastasis,
chemotherapy resistance, and
radiotherapy resistance. Most of the
circRNAs regulate biological behaviors of
cancer through a
competitive endogenous RNA (
ceRNA) regulatory mechanism, and some can exert their functions by binding to
proteins.
circRNAs are also associated with many clinicopathological features of PCa, including
tumor grade,
lymph node metastasis, and distant
metastasis. In addition,
circRNAs are potential diagnostic and prognostic
biomarkers for PCa. Considering their critical regulatory roles in the progression of PCa,
circRNAs would be the potential therapeutic targets. In this paper, the current research status of
circRNAs in PCa is briefly reviewed.