Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in cancer, playing roles in both oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. These RNA molecules are frequently dysregulated in various human cancers, and their functions are increasingly being elucidated. LncRNAs range in length from 200 nucleotides to 100 kilobases and are often transcribed by RNA polymerase II. They are involved in diverse biological processes, including epigenetic regulation, alternative splicing, and nuclear import. Recent studies have shown that aberrant lncRNA expression is associated with tumorigenesis, suggesting they may be major contributors to cancer development. Several lncRNAs have been identified as playing critical roles in cancer. For example, H19 is a lncRNA that is involved in genomic imprinting and has both oncogenic and tumor suppressive properties. XIST is another lncRNA that plays a key role in X-chromosome inactivation. HOTAIR is a lncRNA that is involved in metastasis and has been shown to regulate gene expression by interacting with the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). MALAT1 is a lncRNA that is highly expressed in various cancers and is involved in cell migration and invasion. MEG3 is a lncRNA that acts as a tumor suppressor by stimulating p53-dependent and -independent pathways. LncRNAs can also act as miRNA sponges, sequestering miRNAs and thereby influencing gene expression. For example, HULC is a lncRNA that is highly expressed in liver cancer and acts as a molecular decoy for miR-372. Additionally, lncRNAs such as ANRIL are involved in the regulation of tumor suppressor genes and have been associated with various cancers. T-UCRs, which are highly conserved sequences in the human genome, are also involved in cancer and have been shown to be dysregulated in various cancers. LncRNAs have potential applications in cancer diagnostics and therapies. They can serve as biomarkers for specific cancers and may be used in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. For example, H19 has been used in a plasmid-based system to target bladder cancer. Overall, lncRNAs are emerging as important players in cancer biology, with a growing understanding of their roles in tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic applications.Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in cancer, playing roles in both oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. These RNA molecules are frequently dysregulated in various human cancers, and their functions are increasingly being elucidated. LncRNAs range in length from 200 nucleotides to 100 kilobases and are often transcribed by RNA polymerase II. They are involved in diverse biological processes, including epigenetic regulation, alternative splicing, and nuclear import. Recent studies have shown that aberrant lncRNA expression is associated with tumorigenesis, suggesting they may be major contributors to cancer development. Several lncRNAs have been identified as playing critical roles in cancer. For example, H19 is a lncRNA that is involved in genomic imprinting and has both oncogenic and tumor suppressive properties. XIST is another lncRNA that plays a key role in X-chromosome inactivation. HOTAIR is a lncRNA that is involved in metastasis and has been shown to regulate gene expression by interacting with the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). MALAT1 is a lncRNA that is highly expressed in various cancers and is involved in cell migration and invasion. MEG3 is a lncRNA that acts as a tumor suppressor by stimulating p53-dependent and -independent pathways. LncRNAs can also act as miRNA sponges, sequestering miRNAs and thereby influencing gene expression. For example, HULC is a lncRNA that is highly expressed in liver cancer and acts as a molecular decoy for miR-372. Additionally, lncRNAs such as ANRIL are involved in the regulation of tumor suppressor genes and have been associated with various cancers. T-UCRs, which are highly conserved sequences in the human genome, are also involved in cancer and have been shown to be dysregulated in various cancers. LncRNAs have potential applications in cancer diagnostics and therapies. They can serve as biomarkers for specific cancers and may be used in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. For example, H19 has been used in a plasmid-based system to target bladder cancer. Overall, lncRNAs are emerging as important players in cancer biology, with a growing understanding of their roles in tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic applications.