Role of tRNA-derived small RNAs(tsRNAs) in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumours

Malignant tumours area leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 13% of all deaths. A detailed understanding of the mechanism(s) of the occurrence and development of malignant tumours and identification of relevant therapeutic targets are therefore key to tumour treatment. tsRNAs(tRNA-derived small RNAs)—also known as TRFs (tRNA-derived fragments), tiRNAs (tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs), tRNA halves, etc.—are a recently identified class of small noncoding RNAs that are generated from mature tRNA or tRNA precursors through cleavage by enzymes such as angiogenin, Dicer, RNase Z, and RNase P. Several studies have confirmed that dysregulation of tsRNAs is closely related to the tumorigenesis of breast cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, lung cancer, and so on. Furthermore, research indicates that tsRNAs can be used as clinical diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer. In our review, we summarized the recent research progress on the role and clinical application of tsRNAs in tumorigenesis and progression. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-023-01199-w.