Unraveling the mechanisms of LncRNAs in cervical cancer: a comprehensive review.

Cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the fourth most prevalent malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Central to its pathology are long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), a class of transcripts exceeding 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins. Instead, they function as critical regulators of gene transcription, chromatin remodeling, and cell cycle progression by interacting with DNA, RNA, or proteins, thereby influencing a range of physiological and pathological processes. As research on LncRNA function deepens, its critical role in tumor biology has become increasingly apparent. LncRNAs have attracted considerable attention in recent years regarding their role in the development and progression of CC. LncRNAs are involved in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CC cells, and also regulate multiple signaling pathways by interacting with other molecules to influence tumor progression. Although several LncRNAs have been identified as biomarkers of CC, and research on their potential as therapeutic targets is advancing, their specific mechanisms of action and clinical application remain poorly understood. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the biological functions and mechanisms of LncRNAs in CC and explore their clinical application potential, providing new insights and directions for the early diagnosis and treatment of CC.