The Role of LncRNAs in Radio- and Chemoresistance of Glioblastoma: Prognostic or Therapeutic?

Malignant brain tumors remain highly challenging to treat due to intrinsic and acquired therapy resistance and limited therapeutic options, consequently contributing to poor prognosis. Advancing the understanding of resistance mechanisms alongside novel treatment strategies is essential to improve clinical outcomes. Altered gene expression is common in tumors, and a specific class of non-coding RNAs, particularly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), is frequently deregulated. LncRNAs play critical roles in processes such as cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and metastasis in brain cancer, functioning either as tumor promoters or suppressors. They exert their effects through transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Understanding the functional roles of lncRNAs in malignant brain tumors has become a priority, as they are differentially expressed in tumors compared to healthy tissue. These molecules are studied for their potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in oncology. This review provides an overview of current research on brain cancer and lncRNAs, emphasizing the need for further investigation into their specific roles in therapy resistance and their involvement in various pathways. A better understanding of lncRNAs and their role in brain cancer could offer valuable insights into their prognostic and therapeutic potential, with the promise of improving early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.