HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as a new family of master regulators of cancer. The lncRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is a prime example of an oncogenic trans-acting lncRNA. The expression of HOTAIR is elevated in a broad spectrum of cancers and is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis. HOTAIR governs fundamental biochemical and cellular processes via interactions with a variety of partners to promote proliferation, invasion, survival, drug resistance, and metastasis in preclinical studies of cancer. Here, we review the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of HOTAIR as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of its expression and function in cancer. We also discuss the challenges to capitalizing on HOTAIR for more effective patient care along with future directions founded on the recent exciting advances in our knowledge of HOTAIR in cancer. •We explored the impact of a novel isoform of HOTAIR on dysregulation of HOTAIR expression and functions in cancer.•We discussed potential cis actions of the novel HOTAIR isoform and R-loops within this isoform in cancer.•We comprehensively reviewed the PRC2-independent functions of HOTAIR in cancer.