Circulating Long Non-Coding RNAs as Novel Potential Biomarkers for Osteogenic Sarcoma

Simple Summary Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be detected in a liquid biopsy. We herein discussed the origin, methods of detection, measurement and potential functions of lncRNAs in blood. Furthermore, we used a systematic literature search to identify thirteen circulating lncRNAs whose expression was associated with bone tumor and we examined their impacts on clinical decision-making in the management of osteosarcoma. Circulating cell-free nucleic acids recently became attractive targets to develop non-invasive diagnostic tools for cancer detection. Along with DNA and mRNAs, transcripts lacking coding potential (non-coding RNAs, ncRNAs) directly involved in the process of tumor pathogenesis have been recently detected in liquid biopsies. Interestingly, circulating ncRNAs exhibit specific expression patterns associated with cancer and suggest their role as novel biomarkers. However, the potential of circulating long ncRNAs (c-lncRNAs) to be markers in osteosarcoma (OS) is still elusive. In this study we performed a systematic review to identify thirteen c-lncRNAs whose altered expression in blood associate with OS. We herein discuss the potential impact that these c-lncRNAs may have on clinical decision-making in the management of OS. Overall, we aimed to provide novel insights that can contribute to the development of future precision medicine in oncology.