Biological Implication of Chimeric RNAs in Cancer / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Chimeric RNA is a fusion transcript composed of exons from two or more different genes and generated by chromosome rearrangement or RNA splicing. Chimeric RNAs have the potential to encode novel proteins or function as non-coding RNAs. Chimeric RNAs were ubiquitously expressed across different cancers and normal tissues. To date, mechanistic and functional studies of chimeric RNAs still remain unclear. Precise definition and terminology in the research field of chimeric RNA will be discussed in this review. The formation, classification and clinical significance of chimeric RNAs in cancer progression will be summarized. Previous studies showed that products of chimeric RNAs may play important roles in regulating cell proliferation, motility, invasion and apoptosis through encoded fusion proteins or long non-coding chimeric RNAs. In cancer, chimeric RNA and its encoded specific protein or non-coding RNA can regulate tumorigenesis by changing cell phenotypes or directly affecting gene expression or regulatory pathways, which have the potential to be important diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In recent years, more and more cancer-specific chimeric RNAs have been discovered from multiple types of cancers and used as therapeutic targets due to their vital roles in disease prognosis. Therefore, this review will focus on the functions and applications of chimeric RNAs in different tumors, which can shed a light on cancer diagnosis and therapeutics from the new perspective.

Role of NTRK gene fusions and TRK inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

Lung cancer is one of the major causes of cancer related deaths, and 80%–85% of lung cacer cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most patients with NSCLC are already in the advanced stages when they are initially diagnosed. Despite remarkable advances in traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other therapies, the overall survival of patients with NSCLC remains poor. New therapeutic targets have been discovered in recent years with the continuous development of precision medicine, and the corresponding targeted drugs have highlighted the promise of targeted therapy. NTRK gene fusions have been closely related to the formation and progression of a variety of solid tumors. In patients with NSCLC, the incidence of NTRK gene fusions, which usually does not overlap with other common oncogene drivers, is approximately 0.2%. Clinical trials have demonstrated the good efficacy and safety of TRK inhibitors in solid tumors with NTRK gene fusions. In addition, patients with refractory NSCLC can benefit significantly from TRK inhibitors. This article reviews the role of NTRK gene fusions and TRK inhibitors in NSCLC.