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Emerging roles of circular RNAs in tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment of gastric cancer

Journal of Translational Medicine volume 22, Article number: 207 (2024) Cite this article

Abstract

With an estimated one million new cases reported annually, gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most diagnosed malignancy worldwide. The early detection of GC remains a major challenge, and the prognosis worsens either when patients develop resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy or when the cancer metastasizes. The precise pathogenesis underlying GC is not well understood, which further complicates its treatment. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a recently discovered class of noncoding RNAs that originate from parental genes through “back-splicing”, have been shown to play a key role in various biological processes in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. CircRNAs have been linked to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and the occurrence and progression of tumors. Prior studies have established that circRNAs play a crucial role in GC, impacting tumorigenesis, diagnosis, progression, and therapy resistance. This review aims to summarize how circRNAs contribute to GC tumorigenesis and progression, examine their roles in the development of drug resistance, discuss their potential as biotechnological drugs, and summarize their response to therapeutic drugs and microorganism in GC.

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most incident cancer and the third leading cause of tumor-related mortality worldwide. Its highest incidence and mortality rates have been recorded in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America [1, 2]. Risk factors for GC include Helicobacter pylori infection, low socio­economic status, advanced age, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, genetic predisposition, previous gastric surgery, pernicious anemia, and living in a high-risk population [2]. The prognosis of patients with GC is closely related to classification of the disease. The Borrmann system, which including types I–IV, is the most commonly used macroscopic classification system for GC [3]. It is simple, practical, and can indicate the biological behavior of GC. Histologically, GC can be classified according to Lauren’s criteria [4] and the World Health Organization system [5]. Lauren’s criteria, which is widely used clinically, classifies GC into three types: intestinal, diffuse, and mixed. The World Health Organization classification system of gastric adenocarcinoma is not widely used because of its complexity in distinguishing between many subtypes, besides the fact that some of the subtypes are very rare.

These GC classification systems have enabled significant advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in recent years, but patient prognosis remains poor, primarily because of the high recurrence rate and low 5 year overall survival rate of GC [6]. Currently, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are the common treatments for GC, but they elicit side effects and produce unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern the tumorigenesis and progression of GC can crucially guide clinical practice, help predict prognosis, and estimate the response to treatment.

The human genome contains about 30,000 coding genes, while approximately 98.5% of the transcriptome consists of noncoding RNAs, such as micro RNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs), piwi-interacting RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs, which regulate gene expression through various mechanisms [7,8,9]. CircRNAs are noncoding RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure that lacks a 5′ cap and a 3ʹ polyadenylate tail [10]. In 1976, Kolakofsky D observed ring-shaped RNA molecules within the Sendai virus for the first time [11], while circRNA molecules were reported in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells for the first time by Hsu et al. [12]. However, the structure, biogenesis, and biological functions of circRNAs could not be elucidated in the subsequent decades due to technological limitations. With the advent of sequencing technology and bioinformatic tools, circRNAs have now been discovered in various species, including humans, and have been found to play crucial roles in individual development and in the pathogenesis of various diseases.

RNA splicing is a crucial step in the expression of eukaryotic genes. During mRNA maturation, introns are removed from pre-mRNA molecules, and exons are covalently bonded to each other to form mature mRNAs. In contrast, circRNAs are formed by “back splicing”, which often involves exon skipping [13], cis/trans element-mediated circularization [14], lariat-mediated circularization, intron pairing-driven circularization [10], or splicing of pre-tRNAs [15]. CircRNAs can be classified into four types based on their composition of introns or exons: exon-derived circRNAs, intron-derived circRNAs, circRNAs containing both exons and introns, and tRNA-derived circRNAs [16]. In recent years, numerous circRNAs, such as circ-SHPRH, circFNDC3B, circGRFA1, and circCCDC66, were shown to be dysregulated in various tumors and to be linked to tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and treatment outcome [17,18,19,20]. Moreover, some exosome-encapsulated circRNAs can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for tumors and were involved in mediating drug resistance to anti-tumor therapy [21, 22].

This article reviews the various roles played by circRNAs in different aspects of GC, including tumorigenesis, progression, diagnosis, and therapeutic resistance. Further, we investigate the clinical potential of circRNAs as prognostic biomarkers and drugs for GC. Finally, we examine the importance of circRNAs in the context of GC patients who have been treated with specific drugs or previously infected with H. pylori.

This review is particularly innovative for three reasons. First, we have meticulously reviewed the most recent literature to conceptualize the structure of this review around the molecular workings of circRNAs. Second, the discussion on the utility of circRNAs as biotechnological therapeutics in treating gastric cancer marks a significant contribution. Finally, the examination of circRNAs modulation by pharmaceuticals or microorganisms in GC sets this review apart from existing literature on the subject.

CircRNAs contribute to tumorigenesis and progression of GC through diverse mechanisms

High-throughput technology has enabled the detection of circRNAs in GC tissues and cell lines. Wang et al. [23] identified 75,201 circRNAs in GC tissues and cell lines using next-generation sequencing. Bu et al. [24] identified 28,137 circRNAs in five pairs of GC and adjacent tissues using RNA sequencing. Therefore, circRNAs are no longer considered to be “dark matter” in humans but rather play important roles in physiological development as well as various diseases, including cancers.

CircRNAs can function as miRNA “sponges” or interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and other proteins. Additionally, circRNAs can serve as templates for translation, regulate alternative splicing, and influence mRNA transcription in tumors [14]. In this section, we will summarize the diverse roles of circRNAs in tumorigenesis and progression of GC.

CircRNAs function as miRNA “sponges” in GC

CircRNAs can fulfil oncogenic roles in GC by “sponging” miRNAs, thereby indirectly regulating expression of downstream target genes. Hsa_circ_0000267, a circRNA derived from FAM53B that was significantly overexpressed in GC tissues and cell lines, adsorbs miR-503-5p, which upregulates HMGA2 and promotes the onset of GC [25]. Li et al. [26] found that circBGN was significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cells, promoting proliferation and invasion of GC both in vitro and in vivo. A subsequent study revealed that circBGN directly sequestered miR-149-5p to prevent it from binding to interleukin-6 mRNA, ultimately activating the interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway and playing an oncogenic role in GC. Moreover, downregulation of methyltransferase-like protein 14 served as a prognostic factor indicating poor survival in GC patients. Mechanistically, methyltransferase-like protein 14 was found to inhibit circORC5 by mediating its N6-methyladenosine modification. Given that circORC5 sponges miR-30c-2-3p, its inhibition ultimately suppressed GC progression via the miR-30c-2-3p/AKT1 substrate 1 axis [27].

In addition to their oncogenic effects, some circRNAs have been identified as tumor suppressors in GC. CircRAB31, which originates from exons 2–5 of RAB31, was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. By adsorbing miR-885-5p, circRAB31 can modulate the phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, eventually mitigating proliferation and metastasis of GC cells [28]. Similarly, circST3GAL6 was found to be significantly downregulated in GC tissues. CircST3GAL6 can adsorb miR-300 to upregulate FOXP2 and downregulate MET/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, which results in inhibition of both GC proliferation and metastasis [29]. Thus, the circRNA–miRNA axis plays a crucial regulatory role in initiation and progression of GC.

CircRNAs interact with RBPs or other functional proteins in GC

CircRNAs can bind to RBPs or other functional proteins to regulate the expression of target genes and ultimately, control the growth and metastasis of GC (Fig. 1A–D). Hsa_circ_0006156, a circRNA derived from FNDC3B, can bind to insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) in GC cells to enhance IGF2BP3-mediated stability of CD44 mRNA, eventually promoting GC metastasis[30]. Moreover, circARID1A was also reported to be significantly upregulated in GC tissues and was positively correlated with tumor length, tumor volume, and TNM stage [31]. Mechanistically, circARID1A forms an RNA–protein ternary complex with IGF2BP3 and SLC7A5 mRNA, which stabilizes SLC7A5 mRNA and promotes cell proliferation in GC [31]. Furthermore, being the core component of the miRNA-induced silencing complex, Argonaute 2 (AGO2) is indispensable for miRNA function. According to Chen et al. [32], hsa_circ_0135889, derived from AGO2, is highly expressed in various tumors, including GC, which it can bind to and activate the RBP human antigen R (HuR), thereby restraining the function of the AGO2–miRNA complex. Finally, hsa_circ_0135889 indirectly upregulates downstream target genes to exert its oncogenic role. In addition, circSLC4A7 was found to be one of the most upregulated circRNAs in GC stem cells, wherein it localized to the nucleus. Mechanistically, circSLC4A7 activates Notch1 signaling by binding to heat shock protein 90, thus promoting cancer stem cell-like properties and inducing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion [33].

Fig. 1
figure 1

The roles of circRNAs involving interaction with RBPs or other proteins in GC. A. The circular RNA hsa_circ_0006156 (circFNDC3B) interacts with IGF2BP3 in GC cells, leading to increased stability of CD44 mRNA, which ultimately promotes the migration and invasion of GC. B. Hsa_circ_0008494 (circARID1A) interacts with IGF2BP3 in GC cells to form an hsa_circ_0008494–IGF2BP3–SLC7A5 ternary complex that enhances the expression of SLC7A5 and ultimately, promotes GC proliferation. C. Hsa_circ_0135889 (circAGO2) interacts with HuR, inhibiting the function of the AGO2–miRNA complex, which leads to the upregulation of downstream target genes and promotes proliferation and metastasis of GC. D. CircSLC4A7 interacts with HSP90 and activates the Notch1 signaling pathway to promote the proliferation and metastasis of GC. E. Hsa_circ_0000711 (circNFATC3) binds to and prevents the degradation of IGF2BP3 to promote the proliferation of GC. F. Hsa_circRNA_102415 interacts with and promotes the degradation of PCBP1, which inhibits GPX1 expression and finally promotes the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells by activating AKT/GSK3β/EMT signaling. G. Hsa_circ_0049027 (circHuR) interacts with the transcription factor CNBP to repress HuR expression, which inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of GC. H. Circ_CEA serves as a “scaffold” facilitating the interaction between CDK and P53, which promotes the phosphorylation of P53 protein and the downregulation of downstream genes. Eventually, the apoptosis of GC cells is inhibited

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Besides regulating the expression of target genes, some circRNAs were also found to regulate the stability of RBPs (Fig. 1E–F). For example, circNFATC3, which is upregulated in GC and positively correlated with tumor progression, binds to and enhances the stability of IGF2BP3 by reducing its ubiquitination and degradation via the proteasome pathway. Thus, IGF2BP3 overexpression is partially stimulated by the upregulation of circNFATC3, which ultimately facilitates the proliferation of GC cells [34]. Moreover, circMAP2K2, which is upregulated in GC, regulates the poly(rC)-binding protein 1/glutathione peroxidase 1 axis through proteasome-mediated degradation, and activates the AKT/glycogen synthase kinase-3β/epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signaling pathway to enhance GC cell proliferation and metastasis [35].

Besides RBPs, circRNAs do bind to other functional protein. They can influence GC progression by regulating the expression of their parent genes through transcription factors (Fig. 1G). Hsa_circ_0049027, which is derived from HuR and is significantly downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Functionally, hsa_circ_0049027 binds to the transcription factor CCHC-type zinc finger nucleic acid-binding protein, thereby prevents it from binding to the HuR promoter and inhibits HuR expression, ultimately hinders the progression of GC [36].

Interestingly, circRNAs have also been shown to significantly influence protein phosphorylation (Fig. 1H). Circ_CEA is significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines, wherein it serves as a scaffold to facilitate the interaction between p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, which phosphorylates p53 at Ser315, decreases its retention in the nucleus, and suppresses its activity. Consequently, p53 target genes associated with apoptosis are downregulated and GC cell apoptosis is inhibited [37].

Some circRNAs can simultaneously sponge miRNAs and interact with RBPs (Fig. 2A–B). CircTHBS1, known to be significantly highly expressed in GC and associated with poor prognosis, sponges miR-204-5p to upregulate INHBA and interactes with HuR to enhance the mRNA stability of INHBA, ultimately supporting GC cell proliferation and migration [38]. Zang et al. discovered that circEIF4G3 is downregulated in GC and associated with poor overall survival. CircEIF4G3 sponges miR-4449 to upregulate salt-inducible kinase-1. Additionally, it binds to δ-catenin to promote the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of δ-catenin via tripartite motif-containing protein 25. In short, circEIF4G3 downregulated δ-catenin protein by enhancing TRIM25-mediated ubiquitin degradation and functions as a miRNA “sponge” to modulate miR-4449/SIK1 axis, which synergistically leads to the inactivation of β-catenin signaling and the inhibition of GC progression [39].

Fig. 2
figure 2

The dual roles of circRNAs in regulating GC tumorigenesis or progression and the role of virus-derived circRNAs in GC progression. A. CircTHBS1 promotes GC proliferation and metastasis by upregulating INHBA by sponging miR-204-5p and interacting with HuR. B. CircEIF4G3 interacts with and enhances the degradation of δ-catenin and upregulating SIK1 through miR-4449 sponging, which ultimately promotes GC proliferation and metastasis by downregulating β-catenin. C. The HIF1α-induced EB virus-derived ebv-circLMP2A interacts with KHSRP protein to enhance the decay of VHL mRNA. This mechanism, along with the enhanced expression of HIF1α, forms a regulated loop that ultimately promotes angiogenesis in GC

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Interestingly, virus-derived circRNAs have also been linked with GC progression (Fig. 2C). CircLMP2A, encoded within the Epstein–Barr virus genome, is expressed in Epstein–Barr virus-associated GC [40]. Induced by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), circLMP2A interactes with KH-type splicing regulatory protein and facilitates the decay of VHL mRNA, leading to the accumulation of HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions, which eventually promotes angiogenesis in GC tissues [40].

Taken together, these findings highlight both the oncogenic and tumor-suppressing activities of circRNAs during GC tumorigenesis and progression, which are fulfilled through interactions with RBPs as well as non-RBPs.

CircRNAs can be used as a template for translation in GC

Some circRNAs with translational potential have been found to contribute to the carcinogenesis and development of GC (Fig. 3A–C). CircCOL6A3_030 is significantly higher in metastatic GC tissues than in non-metastatic GC tissues, which translated into a peptide of 198 amino acids and supports the metastasis of GC cells [41]. Similarly, circAXIN1 is significantly upregulated in GC and can be detected in the form of a novel 295-amino-acid-long protein. AXIN1-295aa activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling by competing with axis inhibition protein 1 and binding to adenomatous polyposis coli, eventually promoting the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells by elevating the expression of Wnt-response genes (Cyclin D1, c-Myc, c-Jun, etc.) [42]. Similarly, circGSPT1, which encodes a 238-amino acid-long protein, is downregulated in GC and suppresses its proliferation, migration, and invasion. GSPT1-238aa interacted with the vimentin/Beclin1/14-3-3 complex and modulates autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in GC cells [43].

Fig. 3
figure 3

CircRNAs work as translational templates to contribute to the proliferation and progression of GC. A. CircCOL6A3_030 encodes a 198-amino-acid peptide that promotes the metastasis of GC through currently unknown mechanisms. B. CircAXIN1 produces a 295-amino-acid peptide that interacts with APC to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, ultimately promoting the proliferation of GC. C. CircGSPT1 gets translated into a 283-amino-acids-long peptide that interacts with the vimentin/beclin1/14-3-3 complex, inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and suppressing the proliferation and metastasis of GC. D. Hsa_circ_0004872 (circMAPK1) encodes a 109-amino-acid peptide that interacts with MEK1 to inhibit MAPK1 expression, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of GC. E. A 529-amino-acid peptide is translated from circDIDO1, which interacts with PARP1 and decrease PARP1 activity. Moreover, circDIDO1 bind to both RBX1 and PRDX2 to promote the degradation of PRDX2. This process finally inhibits the proliferation and metastasis and promotes the apoptosis of GC. F. Hsa_circ_0069982 (circMTHFD2L) encodes a 248-amino-acid peptide that disrupts the interaction between SET and PP2A, which attenuates the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, and P65 and thus, inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of GC

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CircRNA-encoded peptides can also regulate the function of proteins encoded by their parent genes (Fig. 3D–E). MAPK1-109aa, encoded by circMAPK1 (hsa_circ_0004872), can inhibit the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) by competitively binding to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1, thereby suppressing the activation of MAPK1 and its downstream factors in MAPK pathway, finally attenuating the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells [44]. CircDIDO1, which encodes a novel protein of 529 amino acids, is significantly downregulated in GC tissues. On the one hand, circDIDO1-529aa directly binds to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 and inhibits its activity. On the other hand, circDIDO1 mitigates the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells by binding to peroxiredoxin-2 and promoting its degradation through E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RBX1 mediated ubiquitination [45].

Another study showed that circRNA-encoded peptides can regulate the phosphorylation of multiple downstream proteins (Fig. 3F). For instance, circMTHFD2L (hsa_circ_0069982), which encodes a peptide named CM-248aa, is downregulated in GC. Mechanistically, CM-248aa competitively targets the acidic domain of SET nuclear oncogene (SET), endogenously inhibiting the SET–protein phosphatase 2A interaction to promote the dephosphorylation of AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p65, which ultimately inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells [46].

In summary, protein-coding circRNAs commonly exist in GC cells, and the peptides they encode can interact with other proteins to regulate GC tumorigenesis and progression.

CircRNAs regulate the alternative splicing and transcription of mRNAs in GC

CircRNAs can also influence the progression of GC by regulating alternative splicing or participating in epigenetic modifications (Fig. 4). For example, circURI1 was found to be expressed significantly higher in GC tissues than in adjacent tissues, and knocking it down enhanced the metastasis of GC cells. CircURI1 binds to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M, regulates the alternative splicing of VEGFA, and elevates the VEGFAe7IN/VEGFAe7EX ratio to eventually inhibit GC cell metastasis [47]. Conversely, the expression of circMRPS35 was significantly reduced in GC tissues and was associated with poor prognosis. CircMRPS35 activates the transcription of FOXO1 and FOXO3a by acting as a “scaffold” to recruit the histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to the promoter regions of these genes through directly bound to FOXO1/3a promoter regions. This leads to the upregulation of downstream target genes, such as p21, p27, Twist1, and E-cadherin, and ultimately inhibits the proliferation and invasion of GC cells [48].

Fig. 4
figure 4

CircRNAs regulate alternative splicing and mRNA transcription in GC. A. CircURI1 binds to hnRNPM and regulates alternative splicing of the VEGFA gene to elevate the VEGFAe7IN/VEGFAe7EX ratio, ultimately inhibiting GC metastasis. B. CircMRPS35 interacts with KAT7 and recruits it to the promoter regions of FOXO1 and FOXO3a to activate their transcription, which eventually inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of GC

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In summary, circRNAs contribute to the carcinogenesis and progression of GC via different mechanisms, and blocking or activating the corresponding signaling pathways represents a new approach for the treatment of GC.

Circulating circRNAs hold potential as diagnostic markers for GC

The invasiveness of digestive endoscopy makes the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases challenging. GC is often diagnosed only at an advanced stage, leading to high mortality rates globally. Traditional tumor markers, such as carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA 19–9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 72–4, and pepsinogen I/II, have poor diagnostic specificity for GC. Interestingly, recent studies have indicated that some circRNAs carry diagnostic potential for GC. The expression of hsa_circ_0065149, hsa_circ_0001789, hsa_circ_0086720, and hsa_circ_0005654 was found to be significantly altered in GC tissues and plasma samples [49,50,51,52]. Hsa_circ_0065149 was downregulated in the tumor tissues and plasma exosomes of patients with early-stage GC, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.640 for early GC diagnosis [49]. Hsa_circ_0001789 was similarly downregulated in GC tissues and plasma samples, with an AUC of 0.82 for diagnosis [50]. Hsa_circ_0086720 was downregulated in GC cells and actively secreted by them, whereas it was stable in circulating plasma [51]. The AUC of plasma hsa_circ_0086720 is more diagnostically valuable for early GC than the AUC for hsa_circ_0086720 from gastric cancer tissue [51]. The expression of hsa_circ_0005654 was significantly inhibited in early GC tissues, with an AUC of 0.924 for early diagnosis [52]. The diagnostic and prognostic value of serum circHAS2, circLPAR1, and exosomal hsa_circ_0079439 has also been demonstrated in GC [53,54,55]. These findings suggest that circRNAs can serve as promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of GC. Future studies must validate these findings and investigate the mechanisms underlying circRNA dysregulation in GC.

A combination of CircRNAs with current GC-related markers has exhibited improved the diagnostic efficiency of GC. The combined detection of CEA, CA 19–9, and hsa_circ_0015286, a circRNA upregulated in GC tissues, plasma, and cancer cells, yielded the highest AUC of 0.843 for the early diagnosis of GC, compared with the AUC values for the individual markers [56]. Moreover, the expression of hsa_circ_0006848 decreases significantly in early GC tissues and plasma but increases significantly after surgery. The AUC of plasma hsa_circ_0006848 for the early diagnosis of GC reached 0.733, while it went up to 0.825 when the circRNA was combined with CEA, CA 19–9, and CA 72–4 [57]. Furthermore, the combination of multiple circRNAs also showed high diagnostic efficacy. Roy et al. identified a diagnostic panel for GC comprising eight serum circRNAs. The AUC of the panel was 0.83, implying that it could efficiently distinguish patients with GC from healthy individuals [58]. These studies underscore the potential of circRNAs in the early diagnosis of GC.

Studies have also explored the diagnostic efficacy of circRNAs for advanced GC. Hsa_circ_0000467 is significantly upregulated in GC but is downregulated after operation. It showed an AUC of 0.790 for GC diagnosis, which is significantly better than that of CEA and CA 72–4, the current clinical GC-related tumor markers [59]. The expression of circSMARCA5 is significantly attenuated in GC tissues and cell lines, with an AUC of 0.806 for GC diagnosis [60]. Similarly, hsa_circ_0000745 is significantly downregulated in GC tissues and plasma. The AUC of plasma hsa_circ_0000745 was 0.683 for GC diagnosis, but it increased to 0.775 when combined with CEA [61]. Han et al. [62] showed that the diagnostic efficacies of hsa_circ_0021087 and hsa_circ_0005051, when used individually, were comparable to that of CEA. When combined with CEA, however, the AUC increased to 0.7988, suggesting that the combination of hsa_circ_0021087, hsa_circ_0005051, and CEA can serve as a noninvasive panel for GC diagnosis. In conclusion, circRNAs can be reliable markers for GC diagnosis, especially early diagnosis, and their diagnostic efficiency can be enhanced by combining them with commonly used GC-related tumor markers.

CircRNAs play a role in the development of drug resistance in GC

Currently, the primary treatments for advanced GC include neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and molecular targeted therapy, either individually or in combination. Despite showing unsatisfactory therapeutic efficiency in most patients, chemotherapy remains a crucial antitumor strategy. However, some tumor cells possess primary drug resistance before being exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs, while others develop secondary or acquired resistance after drug exposure. The latter is one of the primary reasons for the low survival rate of GC patients. In addition to coding genes, noncoding RNAs, especially circRNAs, have recently been shown to mediate drug resistance in GC cells [63, 64]. In this part, we summarized circRNAs linked to drug resistance in GC (Table 1).

Table 1 CircRNAs involved in treatment resistant of GC
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CircRNAs associated with chemotherapeutic drug resistance in GC

CircRNAs have been shown to be involved in the resistance of GC cells to platinum-based drugs. Hsa_circ_0081143, which is significantly upregulated in GC tissues, “sponged” miR-646, leading to the upregulation of CDK6 and the promotion of resistance to cis-diamino-dichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) in SGC7901 and MGC803 cells [65]. CircDONSON, which is significantly upregulated in both GC tissues and cell lines, also promoted CDDP resistance in AGS and HGC-27 cells by upregulating BMI1 via miR-802 adsorption [66]. Moreover, circAKT3 (hsa_circ_0000199), constituted by exons 8–11 of AKT3, was found to be significantly overexpressed in CDDP-resistant SGC7901 and BGC823 cells. When circAKT3 was knocked down, the sensitivity of SGC7901 cells to CDDP significantly increased. Mechanistically, circAKT3 establishes CDDP resistance in GC cells by adsorbing miR-198, which indirectly promotes the expression of PI3K regulatory subunit 1 [67]. CircPVT1 was found to be markedly upregulated in chemoresistant GC tissues and CDDP-resistant cells, and its knockdown increased sensitivity to CDDP via a mechanism involving the hepatoma-derived growth factor/PI3K/AKT pathway and the “sponging” of miR-152-3p. It also decreased cell viability and proliferation while inducing apoptosis in CDDP-resistant GC cells [68]. CircARVCF was upregulated in CDDP-resistant GC tissues and cells, and knocking it down repressed CDDP-resistant GC via miR-1205 [69]. The knockdown of circ-LDLRAD3, which was overexpressed in CDDP-resistant GC tissues and cells, increased the sensitivity of tumor cells to CDDP and attenuated cell proliferation, survival, and invasion by adsorbing miR-588 [70]. In addition, other circRNAs, such as circ_0017274, circUBAP2, circVAPA, circRNACCDC66, circFN1, circ_0000260, circCUL2, circMCTP2, circHIPK3, and circSOD2, have also been implicated in mediating CDDP resistance in GC through their miRNA- “sponging” functions [71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80].

Oxaliplatin, a third-generation platinum anticancer drug, is extensively used to treat GC, but the development of oxaliplatin resistance is a formidable barrier to successful treatment. CircRNAs have been implicated in the development of oxaliplatin resistance. Circ-MTO1 is usually underexpressed in gastric tumor tissues compared with adjacent tissues, and its overexpression enhanced the sensitivity of GC cells to oxaliplatin [81]. Knockdown of circLRCH3, which was found upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant GC tissues and cells, mitigated oxaliplatin resistance through the miR-383-5p/fibroblast growth factor 7 axis [82]. Hsa_circ_0001546, which is significantly downregulated in GC cells, was found to adsorb miRNA-421 to activate the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated/checkpoint kinase 2/p53 signaling pathway, eventually suppressing oxaliplatin resistance in HGC-27 cells [83]. Circ_0032821 was reported to be highly expressed in oxaliplatin-resistant GC cells and their exosomes. Circ_0032821 regulates the expression of SRY-box transcription factor 9 by “sponging” miR-515-5p, ultimately facilitating proliferation, metastasis, and oxaliplatin resistance in GC cells [84]. Hsa_circ_0000144 was also found to be highly expressed in oxaliplatin-resistant GC tissues and cells, wherein it promotes oxaliplatin resistance by “sponging” miR-502-5p [85].

Besides platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, circRNAs have been implicated in the resistance of GC cells to other antitumor drugs. CircMTHFD2 enhances pemetrexed resistance in GC cells by upregulating multidrug resistance protein-1 via miR-124 adsorption [86]. Circ-PVT1 was found to be upregulated in paclitaxel-resistant GC tissues and cells, and its downregulation enhanced paclitaxel sensitivity in resistant cells by negatively regulating the miR-124-3p/zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 axis [87]. The expression of circCPM was reported to be significantly elevated in GC cells and tissues resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). CircCPM adsorbs miR-21-3p to upregulate autophagy mediated by protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 2, which eventually promotes 5-FU resistance in GC cells [88]. Overexpression of circNRIP1 in GC cells attenuated their sensitivity to 5-FU by upregulating multidrug resistance protein-1, P-glycoprotein, and HIF-1α through interactions with miR-138-5p [89]. All these studies demonstrate the different mechanisms by which circRNAs contribute to the development of drug resistance in GC cells.

CircRNAs associated with resistance to radiotherapy or targeted therapy in GC

Exosomal circPRRX1 was found to be upregulated in human GC and could be transferred between cells via exosomes. Mechanistically, exosomal circPRRX1 promoted radiation resistance in GC cells through competing endogenous RNA crosstalk via the circPRRX1/miR-596/nuclear factor-κB-activating protein axis [90]. Interestingly, circRNAs can also regulate the sensitivity of GC cells to targeted therapy, such as anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy. CircDLG1 was found to be markedly upregulated in distant metastatic lesions and GC tissues resistant to anti-PD-1 therapy. CircDLG1 interactes with miR-141-3p to upregulate C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, ultimately inducing resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy [91]. Hsa_circ_0000520 is downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines, and its overexpression can reverse Herceptin resistance in GC cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway [92].

In conclusion, these studies uncovered the critical role of circRNAs in mediating the resistance of GC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs or other treatments commonly used in the clinical setting. Therefore, targeting circRNAs can serve as a new strategy to potentially reverse drug resistance in GC.

CircRNAs can serve as prognostic biomarkers for GC

CircRNAs are not only implicated in the tumorigenesis of GC but also significantly associated with its prognosis. CircOSBPL10, derived from the second and third exons of OSBPL10 pre-mRNA, is notably upregulated in GC tissues, and is associated with lower overall survival and disease-free survival rates [93]. Similarly, hsa_circ_0010882 is substantially upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines, and its expression is positively associated with tumor size and TNM stage. Therefore, a group of patients with higher expression of hsa_circ_0010882 exhibited lower overall survival rates [94]. Hsa_circ_0009910 is significantly upregulated in GC cells and is positively correlated with TNM stage, distant metastasis, and differentiation; therefore, patients with higher expression of hsa_circ_0009910 had worse prognoses [95]. Hsa_circ_0001020 is also significantly upregulated in GC cell lines, tissues, and patient sera and is negatively correlated with overall survival [96]. Therefore, circRNAs can serve as potential prognostic biomarkers in GC.

Application of circRNAs as biotechnological drugs for treating GC

Nucleic acid drugs hold great promise for various applications. Substantial evidence exists for the essential roles played by circRNAs in the development, progression, diagnosis, and prognosis of GC. “Sponging” of miRNAs is one of the most important mechanisms employed by circRNAs, while other molecular mechanisms are currently being investigated. Therefore, circRNAs undoubtedly carry significant potential as anti-GC therapeutic agents. Liu et al. [97] synthetically created a circRNA, scRNA21, to investigate its ability to “sponge” miR-21. ScRNA21, which included five regions that could bind miR-21, was more resistant to nuclease degradation and was significantly more stable in vitro than its linear RNA counterparts. Functionally, scRNA21 could evidently inhibit GC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis by sponging miR-21. Furthermore, scRNA21 could reverse the downregulation of miR-21-linked downstream target genes. Mechanistically, scRNA21 overexpression significantly suppressed the proliferation of GC cells by upregulating the tumor suppressor gene Daxx (Fig. 5A). Therefore, circRNAs can serve as nucleic acid drugs in the treatment of GC.

Fig. 5
figure 5

Application of circRNAs as biotechnological drugs for the treatment of GC. A. Artificially synthesized circRNA-scRNA21 acts as a sponge for miR-21, upregulating Daxx and suppressing cell proliferation while promoting the apoptosis of GC cells. B. CircDIDO1-loaded, RGD-modified exosomes inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells through the miR-1307-3p/SOCS2 pathway

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A research group has investigated the efficacy of RGD-modified exosomes loaded with circDIDO1 (RGD-Exo-circDIDO1) in GC therapy (Fig. 5B). RGD-Exo-circDIDO1 efficiently delivered circDIDO1 to GC cells while substantially suppressing their proliferation, migration, and invasion via the miR-1307-3p/suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 axis [98]. Surprisingly, RGD-Exo-circDIDO1 treatment did not elicit any inflammatory response or notable hepatic or renal toxicity, indicating that it could serve as a promising approach for GC therapy with minimal side effects [98]. These findings suggest that the development of circRNA-based biotechnological drugs for cancer treatment represents a potential approach to combat malignant tumors.

Expression of circRNAs in GC can be regulated by drugs and microorganisms

Recent research has demonstrated that certain therapeutic agents used in clinical settings can impact the biological function of tumor cells by regulating circRNA expression (Table 2). Lidocaine, a widely used local anesthetic, was shown to significantly inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells. Lidocaine upregulates circ_ANO5, which can adsorb miR-21-5p and elevate the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor [99]. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a monomer compound isolated from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of various types of cancer cells through different pathways [100,101,102,103]. Interestingly, AS-IV can also suppress cancer cell growth by modulating circRNA expression. For instance, AS-IV inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells by downregulating circDLST, which attenuated the expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 through miR-489-3p adsorption [104]. Icariin, a natural compound found in Epimedium herbs, enhanced hsa_circ_0003159 expression and reduced GC cell proliferation by regulating the hsa_circ_0003159/miR-223-3p/NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 signaling axis [105]. Sinomenine, an alkaloid extracted from the rhizome of the Chinese herb Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.)Rehd.et Wils. [106], downregulated circTRPM7 and inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of GC through the circTRPM7/miR-145-5p/pre-B cell leukemia homeobox 3 axis [107].

Table 2 CircRNAs regulated by drugs or microorganisms in GC
Full size table

Instead of modulating the expression of individual circRNAs, some drugs can impact tumorigenesis or progression of GC by regulating the abundance of circRNAs. Berberine, a plant alkaloid extracted from traditional Chinese herbs [108], exerts ameliorative effects on blood glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure [109, 110]. Recently, berberine was also shown to significantly inhibit GC cell proliferation and regulate the expression of 31 circRNAs, which subsequently modulate the Notch, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways through competing endogenous RNA mechanisms [111].

Some microorganisms have also been shown to modulate circRNA expression. H. pylori is an important initial factor for the development of GC [112, 113], and it regulates the expression of some noncoding RNAs during GC tumorigenesis or progression [114,115,116,117]. For example, H. pylori upregulated circMAN1A2 in AGS and BGC823 cells independent of cytotoxin-associated gene A [116]. CircMAN1A2 “sponges” miR-1236-3p to regulate the expression of metastasis-associated protein 2, thereby promoting the carcinogenesis of H. pylori-induced GC [116]. CircFNDC3B aggravated the recurrence of H. pylori-induced early GC via the miR-942/CD44 and miR-510/CDH1 pathway [117]. On the other hand, H. pylori can also downregulate certain circRNAs. The expression of circRNA_15430 was reduced in H. pylori-positive gastritis tissues and H. pylori-infected MGC-803 cells, which promoted the proliferation and migration of GC cells while suppressing apoptosis and autophagy through the miR-382-5p/zinc finger CCHC-type containing 14 pathways [118]. These results demonstrate that circRNAs can be developed as therapeutic targets.

Conclusions and future perspectives

CircRNAs have emerged as key players in the carcinogenesis and progression of GC, presenting promising prospects as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The bulk of circRNA research in GC has thus far zoomed in on their role as microRNA “sponges”, their interactions with RBPs or other proteins, and their capacity to act as templates for translation. Beyond this, synthetic circRNAs have demonstrated notable anticancer activities via effective miRNA sequestration. Advancements in circRNA research have not only enhanced our understanding of GC etiology but also identified prospective targets for diagnosis and therapy.

Despite significant strides in the circRNA domain, the journey is far from complete, as hurdles persist. A primary obstacle is the enigmatic nature of circRNA biogenesis in humans. Recent studies suggest a correlation between circRNA biogenesis and specific RBPs in GC. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning circRNA dysregulation in GC largely remain unexplored. Moreover, the typically low expression levels of circRNAs in human tissue challenge detection, with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) being the most prevalent yet not always adequate technique. Particularly, unsuccessful “divergent primers” designs have rendered some circRNAs undetectable by qPCR. Consequently, there’s a pressing need for more sensitive detection methodologies suitable for both cancer tissue and patient serum. Adding to this, the current body of circRNA research in GC has narrowly focused on functions through limited mechanisms, whereas novel roles attributable to their intricate secondary structures await discovery. Another formidable challenge involves in vitro expression, raising circRNA levels has proven difficult, ushering an urgent call for innovative approaches to elevate the in vitro expressing efficiency of circRNA for their functional study of GC.

Accounting for the variable expression of circular RNAs across different cell types, developmental stages, and species, we must tread cautiously when generalizing findings, be it from in vitro studies such as cell cultures to in vivo environments like animal models, or cross-species extrapolations. And while aberrant circRNA expression is documented in specific tumor types, establishing a direct and unequivocal link between circRNAs and diseases necessitates more concrete evidence. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for further research to decode their precise roles in disease progression. Furthermore, although strides have been made in decoding the action mechanisms of circRNAs in tumors, these insights are yet to translate into practical interventions or therapies.

Nonetheless, the advances in circRNA research in GC are clear. The unique covalently closed loop structure of circRNAs imbues them with greater stability than linear mRNAs in cells and bodily fluids, positioning them favorably for clinical application. These features of circRNAs highlight their potential as robust biomarkers and therapeutic targets, paving the way for innovative advances in the fight against GC.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable.

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

This research was funded by the Science and Technology Support Program of Nanchong (Grant No. 22SXQT0001), Scientific research foundation for advanced talents, Affiliated hospital of North Sichuan Medical College (2023GC009), and Youth medical innovation research project of Sichuan province (Q23047).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China

    Qiang Ma & Xiaolan Guo

  2. Translational Medicine Research Center & School of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China

    Qiang Ma & Xiaolan Guo

  3. College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China

    Feifei Yang & Bin Xiao

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  1. Qiang Ma
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  2. Feifei Yang
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  3. Bin Xiao
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  4. Xiaolan Guo
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Contributions

QM and BX conceived and designed the study. QM and FFY searched the literature, interpreted the data, and wrote the manuscript. BX and XLG edited the manuscript and made a supervision.

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Correspondence to Bin Xiao or Xiaolan Guo.

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Ma, Q., Yang, F., Xiao, B. et al. Emerging roles of circular RNAs in tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment of gastric cancer. J Transl Med 22, 207 (2024). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12967-024-05001-4

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  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12967-024-05001-4

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Journal of Translational Medicine

ISSN: 1479-5876

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