Researchers at Flinders University are uncovering the groundbreaking role of circular RNAs in cancer, offering hope for new diagnostics and treatments.

In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as a pivotal focus in cancer research, offering promising new insights into how we understand and combat the disease. Professor Simon Conn, who leads the Circular RNAs in Cancer Laboratory at Flinders University, describes that these unique RNA molecules are the crucial players in cancer biology.

“By delving into the specific roles of circRNAs throughout cancer progression, we aim to leverage their potential to develop innovative diagnostics and treatments that could revolutionize oncology,” Conn says.

Unlike other types of RNA, which are typically linear, circRNAs form a closed circle. Discovered just a decade ago, circRNAs have already been found to vastly outnumber all other RNA types combined. They are implicated in various stages of cancer, from initiating mutations to aiding in metastasis and even contributing to chemotherapy resistance.

“We’ve learned that circRNAs are involved in nearly every aspect of cancer,” Conn explains. “They play a role in the formation of cancer, its spread, and the development of resistance to treatment.”

Recent research highlights the potential of circRNAs to act as cancer biomarkers, detectable in liquid biopsies like blood tests. This could enable earlier cancer detection and monitor responses to treatment before traditional imaging methods can detect changes.

The Conn research team, including collaborators from Flinders University and the University of Michigan, continues to explore the complex functions of circRNAs in cancer and other diseases. Their work is paving the way for new, targeted approaches in cancer treatment, offering hope for significant advancements in the fight against this formidable disease.