Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules greater than 200 nucleotides that have recently gained notoriety for their role in cancer pathogenesis. Among their various cellular functions, they regulate intranuclear transcription as well as mRNA stability, translation, and posttranslational modifications within the cytoplasm. When aberrantly expressed, lncRNAs can promote tumorigenesis, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance in malignancies such as bone sarcomas. These bone sarcomas include osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chordoma, of which there are relatively few targeted therapies or biomarkers available in the clinic. Recently, however, a growing body of evidence has revealed lncRNAs have critical roles in bone sarcoma patient outcomes and can be tested with noninvasive sequencing technologies such as liquid biopsy. In this chapter, we summarize the emerging works on lncRNA expression and function in bone sarcomas, as well as their value as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.