Long non-coding RNAs as a determinant of cancer drug resistance: Towards the overcoming of chemoresistance via modulation of lncRNAs

Chemoresistance including intrinsic and acquired anticancer drug resistance continues to be a primary hindrance towards curative cancer treatment. Therefore, deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms is of paramount importance required towards the overcoming of chemoresistance. Cumulative evidence revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in conferring anticancer drug resistance upon a broad spectrum of cancers. Hence, numerous lncRNAs are recognized as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies, which urges us to comprehensively delineate the critical functions of lncRNAs in chemoresistance. In this respect, we herein succinctly elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate their downstream targets to mediate cancer chemoresistance. Therefore, the current review may provide a significant basis for the future conquering of chemoresistance via targeting lncRNAs in cancer therapeutics.