Long non-coding RNAs in the development, diagnosis and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, are lack of protein coding potential. Emerging studies have shown that lncRNAs play critical roles in carcinogenesis and progression, including human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this article, we first provide an overview on the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in NPC, and then discuss the influence of lncRNAs on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.