A review on the role of PCA3 lncRNA in carcinogenesis with an especial focus on prostate cancer

The prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with high level of specificity for prostate cancer. This lncRNA has fundamental effects in the prostate carcinogenesis through modulation of expression of miR-132-3p, miR-1261, SREBP1, PRKD3 and LAP2α as well as regulation of p53 signaling. Expression of PCA3 in prostate cancer cells can be enhanced by Snail. Moreover, in vitro studies have documented up-regulation of PCA3 in three other types of neoplastic cells, namely those being originated from choriocarcinoma, ovarian carcinoma and thyroid carcinoma. The diagnostic value of PCA3 in differentiation of prostate cancer from benign prostate hyperplasia has been assessed in different studies. Studies aimed at identification of diagnostic power of PCA3 in prostate cancer using receiver operating characteristic curves have reported area under curve values ranging from 0.66 to 0.86. In the current review, we describe the role of PCA3 in the carcinogenesis particularly in the pathoetiology of prostate cancer. Moreover, we review the results of studies appraising diagnostic value of this lncRNA in prostate cancer.