Functional significance of tRNA-derived fragments in sustained proliferation of tumor cells

Cancer is a complex and devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and despite advances in therapeutic approaches, it remains the second leading cause of death globally. The pathophysiology of cancer involves genetic and epigenetic alterations that disrupt and deregulate the normal cell cycle. This disruption leads to accelerated tumor growth, promotes invasive behavior, and contributes to therapy resistance in patients. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), have emerged as key regulators of gene expression in cancer and are gaining recognition for their role in oncogenesis. However, the precise molecular mechanisms through which tRFs influence sustained tumor proliferation are not yet fully understood, which poses a challenge for the development of effective diagnostics and treatments. Emerging research suggests that tRFs manipulate tumor cell growth by modulating gene expression patterns at the post-transcriptional level. Furthermore, they impact translational control and induce shifts in the epigenetic landscape. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on tRFs and their contribution to the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell proliferation. By enhancing our understanding of tRFs and their functions, we can pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for cancer. •tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) regulate mRNA stability, epigenetic processes, and protein translation.•Dysregulation of tRFs help cancer cells to make significant changes in cell proliferation and tumor growth. Alterations in the expression pattern of tRFs have been observed in various cancers, causing significant changes in cell growth.•Tumor cells disrupt the expression of specific tRFs to induce proliferative phenotype.