Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate various biological processes including cancer. Cancer cells possess limitless replicative potential which is attained by telomere length maintenance while normal somatic cells have a limited lifespan because their telomeres shorten with every cell division ultimately triggering replicative senescence. Two lncRNAs have been observed to play a key role in telomere length maintenance. First is the lncRNA TERC (telomerase RNA component) which functions as a template for telomeric DNA synthesis in association with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) which serves as the catalytic component. Together they constitute the telomerase complex which functions as a reverse transcriptase to elongate telomeres. Second lncRNA that helps in regulating telomere length is the telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) which is transcribed from the subtelomeric region and extends to the telomeric region. TERC and TERRA exhibit important functions in cancer with implications in precision oncology. In this review, we discuss various aspects of these important lncRNAs in humans and their role in cancer along with recent advancements in their anticancer therapeutic application.

众所周知，长链非编码 RNA (lncRNA) 可以调节包括癌症在内的各种生物过程。癌细胞具有无限的复制潜力，这是通过维持端粒长度获得的，而正常体细胞的寿命有限，因为它们的端粒随着每次细胞分裂而缩短，最终触发复制衰老。已经观察到两种 lncRNA 在端粒长度维持中发挥关键作用。首先是 lncRNA TERC（端粒酶 RNA 成分）作为端粒 DNA 合成的模板与作为催化成分的端粒酶逆转录酶 (TERT) 结合使用。它们一起构成端粒酶复合物，其作为逆转录酶来延长端粒。第二个有助于调节端粒长度的 lncRNA 是含有端粒重复序列的 RNA ( TERRA )，它从亚端粒区域转录并延伸到端粒区域。TERC和TERRA在癌症中表现出重要的功能，对精准肿瘤学有影响。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了这些重要的 lncRNA 在人类中的各个方面及其在癌症中的作用，以及它们在抗癌治疗应用中的最新进展。