LncRNA‐ATB: An indispensable cancer‐related long noncoding RNA

Objectives Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non‐protein‐coding RNAs that are greater than 200 nucleotides in length. Increasing evidence indicates that lncRNAs, which may serve as either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes, play a vital role in the pathophysiology of human diseases, especially in tumourigenesis and progression. Deregulation of lncRNAs impacts different cellular processes, such as proliferation, dedifferentiation, migration, invasion and anti‐apoptosis. The aim of this review was to explore the molecular mechanism and clinical significance of long non‐coding RNA‐activated by transforming growth factor β (lncRNA‐ATB) in various types of cancers. Materials and methods In this review, we summarize and analyze current studies concerning the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNA‐ATB in tumour development. The related studies were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library. Results Long non‐coding RNAs‐ATB is a novel cancer‐related lncRNA that was recently found to exhibit aberrant expression in a variety of malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and lung cancer. Dysregulation of lncRNA‐ATB has been shown to contribute to proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. Long non‐coding RNAs‐ATB promotes tumourigenesis and progression mainly through competitively binding miRNAs to induce epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusions Long non‐coding RNAs‐ATB likely represents a feasible cancer biomarker or therapeutic target.