NORAD, a critical long non-coding RNA in human cancers

The incidence of cancer is growing worldwide, and it is becoming the most common cause of death. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNA transcripts with a length larger than 200 nucleotides that cannot encode proteins or peptides. LncRNAs regulate different biological functions by controlling gene expressions at transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. Non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) is a highly conserved lncRNA necessary for genome stability. LncRNA NORAD is dysregulated in various types of cancers. This biomarker has been involved in numerous processes associated with carcinogeneses, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. In this paper, we reviewed the role of lncRNA NORAD and its biological functions in various human cancers to provide future research insights.