The emerging functions and clinical implications of circRNAs in acute myeloid leukaemia

作者：Shuiqing Liu, Xingyu Wan, Yang Gou, Wuchen Yang, Wei Xu, Yuxuan Du, Xiangui Peng, Xiaoqi Wang, Xi Zhang · 发表于：Cancer Cell International · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12935-025-03772-4 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Circular RNAs in diseases、MicroRNA in disease regulation、Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a prevalent haematologic malignancy characterized by significant heterogeneity. Despite the application of aggressive therapeutic approaches, AML remains associated with poor prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) constitute a unique class of single-stranded RNAs featuring covalently closed loop structures that are ubiquitous across species. These molecules perform crucial regulatory functions in the pathogenesis of various diseases through diverse mechanisms, including acting as miRNA sponges, interacting with DNA or proteins, and encoding functional proteins/polypeptides. Recently, numerous circRNAs have been confirmed to have aberrant expression patterns in AML patients. In particular, certain circRNAs are closely associated with specific clinicopathological characteristics and thus have great potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AML. Herein, we systematically summarize the biogenesis, degradation, and functional mechanisms of circRNAs while highlighting their clinical relevance. We also outline a series of online databases and analytical tools available to facilitate circRNA research. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future research priorities in this evolving field.