The emerging role of circular RNAs in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fourth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of long noncoding RNAs characterized by a single-stranded covalently closed loop structure. Emerging evidence reveals the essential function of circRNAs in the occurrence and development of human diseases. Among these, circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in GC and are involved in the progression of GC. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge of the classification, biogenesis and biological functions of circRNAs, with an emphasis on their relationship with GC. As our understanding of the relation between circRNAs and GC advances, more diagnostic and therapeutic protocols will be developed for the prevention and treatment of GC.