Cancer Research - A group of scientists examined the role of circular RNA, a type of RNA whose functions are still unknown, in the development of colon cancer.

They compared normal and tumor colon tissue samples and noticed that the number of circular RNAs is particularly high in cancer cells and associated with poor prognosis. They discovered that circular RNA is involved in colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and growth, providing new insight into the role of circular RNA in colorectal cancer progression and metastatic process.

 

Noncoding Effects of Circular RNA CCDC66 Promote Colon Cancer Growth and Metastasis

 

Authors: Kuei-Yang Hsiao, Ya-Chi Lin, Sachin Kumar Gupta, Ning Chang, Laising Yen, H. Sunny Sun and Shaw-Jenq Tsai

Cancer Research -  DOI:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-1883 – May 2017