lncRNA meets the androgen receptor

Although many long noncoding RNAs are upregulated in cancer, relatively few have been shown to functionally contribute to disease.¹ Now, a U.S. team has found that two lncRNAs act directly on the androgen receptor and are required for castration-resistant prostate cancer growth. The findings provide new targets for the disease and illustrate a previously unknown mechanism of action for lncRNAs.²

Extensive genome profiling studies have identified hundreds of lncRNAs associated with cancer, including prostate cancer.^3-5 Among the best-studied examples is prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), a prostate-specific lncRNA that is overexpressed in patients with prostate cancer...