Natural Products and LncRNAs in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer: Emerging Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered a major contributor to cancer-related death rates worldwide, chiefly owing to late diagnosis, occurrence of metastasis, and treatment resistance. Growing evidence underscores the impact of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on NSCLC progression. These lncRNAs have been demonstrated to influence cell proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and drug resistance, contributing to cancer development and therapeutic failure. Concurrently, natural products and nutraceuticals are gaining attention for their anticancer properties, particularly in modulating signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate have been shown to regulate oncogenic lncRNAs, inhibiting metastasis and reversing chemoresistance. Additionally, natural products upregulate tumor-suppressive lncRNAs, restoring cell cycle control and apoptosis. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the etiological significance of lncRNAs in NSCLC, with a particular emphasis on their contribution to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. In addition, it explores the potential of natural products to modulate lncRNA expression, highlighting their efficacy in overcoming drug resistance and enhancing the therapeutic response. By elucidating the dynamic molecular cross-talk between lncRNAs and natural products, this review also aims to identify novel therapeutic strategies and potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.