PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNAs), once thought to be mainly functioning in germlines, are now known to play an essential role in somatic and cancerous tissues. Ping-pong cycle initiation and mitochondria-based phased production constitute the core of the piRNA biogenesis and these two processes are well conserved in mammals, including humans. By being involved in DNA methylation, histone marker deposition, mRNA degradation, and protein modification, piRNAs also contribute to carcinogenesis partly due to oncogenic stress-induced piRNA dysregulation. Also, piRNAs play important roles in cancer stemness, drug resistance, and tumor immunology. Results from liquid biopsy analysis of piRNA can be used in both cancer diagnoses and cancer prognoses. A combination of targeting piRNA with other therapeutic strategies could be groundbreaking cancer treatment.

PIWI 相互作用 RNA (piRNA) 曾经被认为主要在种系中发挥作用，现在已知在体细胞和癌组织中发挥重要作用。乒乓循环的启动和基于线粒体的分阶段生产构成了 piRNA 生物发生的核心，这两个过程在包括人类在内的哺乳动物中得到了很好的保守。通过参与 DNA 甲基化、组蛋白标记沉积、mRNA 降解和蛋白质修饰，piRNA 也有助于致癌，部分原因是致癌应激诱导的 piRNA 失调。此外，piRNA 在癌症干性、耐药性和肿瘤免疫学中发挥着重要作用。 piRNA 液体活检分析结果可用于癌症诊断和癌症预测。靶向 piRNA 与其他治疗策略的结合可能是突破性的癌症治疗。