Competing endogenous RNAs network dysregulation in oral cancer: a multifaceted perspective on crosstalk and competition

Oral cancer progresses from asymptomatic to advanced stages, often involving cervical lymph node metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy, and an unfavorable prognosis. Clarifying its potential mechanisms is vital for developing effective theraputic strategies. Recent research suggests a substantial involvement of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in the initiation and advancement of oral cancer. However, the underlying roles and functions of various ncRNA types in the growth of this malignant tumor remain unclear. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) refer to transcripts that can mutually regulate each other at the post-transcriptional level by vying for shared miRNAs. Networks of ceRNAs establish connections between the functions of protein-coding mRNAs and non-coding RNAs, including microRNA, long non-coding RNA, pseudogenic RNA, and circular RNA, piwi-RNA, snoRNA. A growing body of research has indicated that imbalances in ceRNAs networks play a crucial role in various facets of oral cancer, including development, metastasis, migration, invasion, and inflammatory responses. Hence, delving into the regulatory pathways of ceRNAs in oral cancer holds the potential to advance our understanding of the pathological mechanisms, facilitate early diagnosis, and foster targeted drug development for this malignancy. The present review summarized the fundamental role of ceRNA network, discussed the limitations of current ceRNA applications, which have been improved through chemical modification and carrier delivery as new biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis is expected to offer a groundbreaking therapeutic approach for individuals with oral cancer.