[The function and application of nucleolar small RNAs in digestive tract tumors].

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a class of important non-coding RNAs traditionally involved in the modification and processing of ribosomal RNA. Recent studies have revealed that snoRNAs are aberrantly expressed in various gastrointestinal malignancies-including gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer-and contribute to tumorigenesis and progression by regulating gene expression and modulating key biological processes such as tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, metabolism, drug resistance, and stemness maintenance. Although extensive research has focused on the roles of snoRNAs in cancer, their precise molecular mechanisms and clinical utility remain incompletely understood. This review summarizes the expression profiles and functional mechanisms of snoRNAs in gastrointestinal cancers and discusses their potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets, aiming to provide new insights for early diagnosis and precision therapy of these malignancies.