Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Long Non-coding RNAs across Human Cancers

Cancer Cell. 2015 Oct 12;28(4):529-540. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2015.09.006.

Abstract

The discovery of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has dramatically altered our understanding of cancer. Here, we describe a comprehensive analysis of lncRNA alterations at transcriptional, genomic, and epigenetic levels in 5,037 human tumor specimens across 13 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results suggest that the expression and dysregulation of lncRNAs are highly cancer type specific compared with protein-coding genes. Using the integrative data generated by this analysis, we present a clinically guided small interfering RNA screening strategy and a co-expression analysis approach to identify cancer driver lncRNAs and predict their functions. This provides a resource for investigating lncRNAs in cancer and lays the groundwork for the development of new diagnostics and treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genome, Human
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding