Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been classically defined as regulatory RNA members >200 nucleotides in length, without detectable open‑reading frames to encode proteins. Previous studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs serve critical roles in multiple cancer types. Colon cancer‑associated transcript 1 (CCAT1), a novel cancer‑associated lncRNA, is significantly overexpressed in a number of malignancies. Functionally, as an oncogenic lncRNA, CCAT1 is involved in proliferation, migration, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, chemoresistance and other biological processes of cancer cells through complex regulation mechanisms in the cytoplasm or nucleus. In clinical applications, CCAT1 is additionally positively associated with histological differentiation, tumour node metastasis stage, vascular invasion, overall survival and recurrence‑free survival, which demonstrates its important role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in cancer. The present review summarises the current research progress of the oncogenic potential and clinical uses of CCAT1 in various human cancer types.
Keywords: ong non‑coding RNA; cancer; colon cancer‑associated transcript 1; oncogene; diagnosis; prognosis.