Cerebellar degeneration-related protein 1 antisense (CDR1as) is an important member of the circRNAs family, also known as cirs-7. Its main function in vivo is to act as a mir-7 sponge. Accumulated studies show that CDR1as is closely related to various diseases, especially cancer. Our analysis show that CDR1as expression in human cancer is significantly associated with poor overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.06–3.04; p < 0.00001) and that high CDR1as expression is associated with the tumor node metastasis stage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.63–2.78; p < 0.00001), and distant metastasis (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.90–6.64; p < 0.00001). Furthermore, the results reveal the prognostic significance of CDR1as in neoplasms of the digestive system (HR = 1.69, 95% CI = 2.14–2.71; p < 0.001), colorectal cancer (HR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.96–2.85; p < 0.001), and non-small cell lung cancer (HR = 2.40, 95% CI = 3.42–4.83; p = 0.008). In this study, we summarize in detail the latest research findings and demonstrate the function and regulatory mechanism of CDR1as in various cancer processes, and its potential as a biomarker for cancer prevention and prognosis.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2) is an inhibitor among the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) family members, is associated with the progression of a variety of tumors. However, the association of TIMP2 with cancer prognosis and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes remains unclear. TIMP2 expression was analyzed by Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), TNMplot, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database and 50 paired gastric cancer tissues. We evaluated the influence of TIMP2 on clinical prognosis using Kaplan-Meier plotter, the PrognoScan database, GEPIA and TCGA data. The correlation of TIMP2 with tumor immune infiltrates and with the set of gene markers of immune infiltrates was investigated by TIMER and GEPIA. TIMP2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and low expressed in colon cancer. High TIMP2 expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.16–1.63]; P = 0.0002) and progression-free survival (PFS, HR = 1.39, 95% CI: [1.14–1.7]; P = 0.0012) in gastric cancers. Specifically, high TIMP2 expression was associated with poorer OS and PFS, but not with OS and PFS in stage 1 (OS HR = 1.96, P = 0.29; PFS HR = 0.43, P = 0.19) and stage 2 (OS HR = 1.59, P = 0.12; PFS HR = 1.47, P = 0.2) and stage N0 patients (OS HR = 1.6, P = 0.35; PFS HR = 1.56, P = 0.38) of gastric cancer patients. There was a significant positive correlation between TIMP2 expression and different type of immune cells, including CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, macrophages, Neutrophils, and dendritic cells in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). Moreover, TIMP2 expression was strongly correlated with different sets of immune markers. These results suggest that TIMP2 is associated with prognosis and level of immune infiltrating in a variety of cancers, especially colon and gastric cancer patients. Moreover, expression of TIMP2 potentially contributes to regulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), dendritic cells, T cell exhaustion and Tregs in colon and gastric cancer. These findings suggest that TIMP2 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for predicting prognosis and immune infiltration in gastric and colon cancer.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a conserved class of non‑coding RNAs that guide 2'‑O‑methylation and pseudouridylation of ribosomal RNA. First identified over five decades ago, snoRNAs have emerged as critical regulators of cellular function, with high‑throughput sequencing revealing their dysregulation in numerous human diseases, particularly cancer. In the present review, the biogenesis, classification, and modification mechanisms of snoRNAs and snoRNA‑derived fragments (sdRNAs) are comprehensively summarized. Recent advances in understanding their non‑canonical functions are highlighted, which extend beyond ribosomal RNA modification to include regulation of mRNA splicing, stability, and protein interactions. These diverse mechanisms enable snoRNAs to influence key cancer‑related processes such as proliferation, metastasis, metabolic reprogramming, and therapy resistance. A comprehensive overview of snoRNA dysregulation across major cancer types is provided, including colorectal, hepatocellular, gastric, lung, breast, and ovarian cancers, with a detailed discussion of underlying molecular pathways. Furthermore, their emerging potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers detectable in liquid biopsies is examined, as well as their promise as therapeutic targets amenable to antisense oligonucleotide and small molecule intervention. The present review integrates current knowledge of snoRNA/sdRNA biology and highlights critical gaps and future directions, providing a foundation for translating these regulatory RNAs into clinical oncology applications.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and currently incurable intestinal disorder, with existing treatments often being limited and burdened by challenges. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has emerged as a highly promising therapeutic strategy, primarily due to its profound immunomodulatory and tissue-reparative capabilities. Autophagy, an essential cellular homeostatic process, is deeply implicated in both the pathogenesis of IBD and the biological functions of MSCs. This review consolidates current knowledge on the critical role of autophagy within MSC-based treatment paradigms for IBD. We examine how MSCs and their derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) alleviate intestinal inflammation, and conversely, how autophagy regulates vital MSC properties such as cellular survival, differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory activity. A deeper understanding of this bidirectional interaction provides innovative insights for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Ultimately, strategically modulating autophagy in conjunction with MSC therapy represents a meaningful and promising frontier for developing novel and effective treatments against IBD.