Published online Aug 24, 2020. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v11.i8.563
Peer-review started: December 31, 2019
First decision: March 15, 2020
Revised: June 9, 2020
Accepted: July 19, 2020
Article in press: July 19, 2020
Published online: August 24, 2020
Processing time: 233 Days and 7.1 Hours
Advancing knowledge of the transcriptome has revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely expressed and evolutionarily conserved molecules that may serve relevant biological roles. More interesting is the accumulating evidence which demonstrates the implication of circRNAs in diseases, especially cancers. This revelation has helped to form the rationale for many studies exploring their utility as clinical biomarkers. CircRNAs are highly stable due to their unique structures, exhibit some tissue specificity, and are enriched in exosomes, which facilitate their detection in a range of body fluids. These properties make circRNAs ideal candidates for biomarker development in many diseases. This review will outline the discovery, biogenesis, and proposed functions of circRNAs.
Core tip: Circular RNAs are unusually stable RNA molecules that are tissue- and cell lineage-specific, abundantly expressed in cells, and enriched in exosomes. These properties facilitate their detection in different body fluids and probable utility as biomarkers. Herein, we review the literature that investigates their potential as biomarkers for prostate cancer.