Long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: Potential roles and clinical implications

Long non-coding RNAs(lnc RNAs) are a subgroup of non-coding RNA transcripts greater than 200 nucleotides in length with little or no protein-coding potential. Emerging evidence indicates that lnc RNAs may play important regulatory roles in the pathogenesis and progression of human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Certain lnc RNAs may be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers for HCC, a serious malignancy with increasing morbidity and high mortality rates worldwide. Therefore, elucidating the functional roles of lnc RNAs in tumors can contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HCC and may help in developing novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the recent progress regarding the functional roles of lnc RNAs in HCC and explore their clinical implications as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and molecular therapeutic targets for HCC.