The potential relevance of long non-coding RNAs in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and treatment: A review focus on signaling pathways.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent cancers in incidence and mortality. Despite advances in cancer biology, molecular genetics, and targeted treatments, CRC prognosis and survival have not kept pace. This is usually due to advanced staging and metastases at diagnosis. Thus, great importance has been placed upon understanding the molecular pathophysiology behind the development of CRC, which has highlighted the significance of non-coding RNA's role and associated intracellular signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease. According to recent studies, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), a subtype of ncRNAs whose length exceeds 200 nucleotides, have been found to have regulatory functions on multiple levels. Their actions at the transcription, post-transcriptional, translational levels, and epigenetic regulation have made them prime modulators of gene expression. Due to their role in cellular cancer hallmarks, their dysregulation has been linked to several illnesses, including cancer. Furthermore, their clinical relevance has expanded due to their possible detection in blood which has cemented them as potential future biomarkers and thus, potential targets for new therapy. This review will highlight the importance of lncRNAs and related signaling pathways in the development of CRC and their subsequent clinical applications.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria's Symptoms and Management: A Narrative Review.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant disorder of heme biosynthesis in the liver that is caused by the accumulation of toxic heme metabolites aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) due to a deficiency in the enzyme hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS). The prevalence of AIP is found to commonly affect females of reproductive age (ages 15-50) and people of Northern European descent. The clinical manifestations of AIP include acute and chronic symptoms that can be outlined into three phases: the prodromal phase, the visceral symptom phase, and the neurological phase. Major clinical symptoms involve severe abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathies, and psychiatric manifestations. Symptoms are often heterogeneous and vague, which can lead to life-threatening signs if not treated and managed appropriately. Whether treating AIP in its acute or chronic form, the cornerstone of treatment consists of the suppression of the production of ALA and PBG. The mainstay of managing acute attacks continues to comprise discontinuing porphyrogenic agents, adequate caloric support, heme treatment, and the treatment of symptoms. In recurrent attacks and chronic management, prevention is key with the consideration of liver transplantation and/or renal transplantation. In recent years, there has been great interest in emerging treatments that focus on a molecular level such as enzyme replacement therapy, ALAS1 gene inhibition, and even liver gene therapy (GT), which has changed the way of traditionally managing this disease and will pave the way for innovative therapies to come.