The Role of LncRNA XIST in Gynecologic Cancers

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides that act by targeting translational and post-translational modifications, epigenetic regulators, and chromatin remodeling complexes. There has been increasing evidence that the lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (lncRNA Xist) via targeting miRNAs and transcription factors plays a critical role in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. This lncRNA also has an important role in the progression of tumors and other human diseases by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). Accumulating evidence revealed that lncRNA Xist by targeting several signaling pathways is involved in the pathogenesis of gynecologic cancers. In this review, we focused on the recent functions of lncRNA Xist in breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers.