Molecular mechanisms of 5-FU resistance in colorectal cancer: the regulatory role of lncRNAs.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that serve as key regulators of a variety of biological processes such as tumorigenesis and drug resistance. LncRNAs are more than 200 nucleotides in length and influence cancer progression by acting as miRNA sponges, regulating gene expression and promoting epigenetic changes. In colorectal cancer (CRC), lncRNAs promote 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance by promoting DNA repair, inhibiting apoptosis, enhancing autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although most lncRNAs are upregulated in drug-resistant CRC cells, some lncRNAs act as inhibitors of tumor resistance. This article provides an overview of lncRNAs that play a role in mediating 5-FU resistance in colorectal cancer and their potential as biomarkers for predicting therapeutic efficacy.