Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological
cancer, and more than 70% of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. Despite the application of surgery and
chemotherapy, the prognosis remains poor due to the high relapse rate. It is urgent to identify novel
biomarkers and develop novel therapeutic strategies for EOC.
Circular RNAs (
circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs generated from the "back-splicing" of
precursor mRNA.
CircRNAs exert their functions via several mechanisms, including acting as
miRNA sponges, interacting with
proteins, regulating transcription, and encoding functional
proteins. Recent studies have identified many
circRNAs that are dysregulated in EOC and may be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Increasing evidence has revealed that
circRNAs play a critical role in
ovarian cancer progression by regulating various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis,
metastasis, and chemosensitivity. The
circRNA-based
therapy may be a novel strategy that is worth exploring in the future. Here, we provide an overview of EOC and
circRNA biogenesis and functions. We then discuss the dysregulations of
circRNAs in EOC and the possibility of using them as diagnostic/prognostic markers. We also summarize the role of
circRNAs in regulating
ovarian cancer development and speculate their potential as therapeutic targets.