Noncoding RNAs in prostate cancer patients

Prostate cancer (PCa) as the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths remains a major health-care challenge with a great economic, physical, and psychological burden. Evidence suggests that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are often altered in human cancers especially PCa suggesting their role as a key player in PCa initiation and progression. In this chapter, we summarize the existing knowledge on the characterization of ncRNA species, particularly those involved in the PCa, their functions, and clinical applicability. First, the experimental methods, tools, datasets, and informatics to analyze ncRNAs in PCa patients are described and then sample types used for analyzing ncRNAs are explained. In an attempt to identify new molecular targets to detect the development of PCa, prognosis, and predict recurrence-free survival, current concepts of ncRNAs are reviewed. Also, new ncRNAs’ perspective in therapy, prediction of therapeutic response, and targeted therapies are described. Altered cellular signaling pathways, including the importance of phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway, the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, c-myc, and the role of androgens/androgen receptor signaling in PCa progression, are also described.