Abstract: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently discovered subclass of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) characterized by a covalently closed loop structure created by reverse splicing. Because they do not have a 5ʹ cap structure and a 3ʹ poly A tail, circRNAs have higher stability, abundance and evolutionary conservation than linear RNA between species. These features produce various potential biological functions of circRNAs, such as miRNA sponges, RNA-binding proteins that form RNA protein complexes. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that circRNAs play a vital role in the occurrence and development of human diseases. At the same time, their enormous potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target is also evolving. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing cancer-associated circRNAs and to try to find circRNAs that are abnormally expressed in many cancers. Therefore, we reviewed previous circRNAs studies related to cancer and selected them by statistics. The eight circRNAs that have the highest frequency in different cancers or involve key pathways are called star circRNAs. Here, we review the classification, features, and functions of emerging star circRNAs, with particular attention to the role of circRNAs in various cancers.
Keywords: circular RNA, cancer, targeted therapy, diagnosis