The Regulatory Role of Circular RNAs as miRNA Sponges in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is ranked as the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females. Cervical cancer is a complex disease influenced by various genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. While treatment options such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy exist, the prognosis remains poor due to high rates of distant and lymphatic metastasis. Recent research has shed light on the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in cervical cancer development, with circular RNAs (circRNAs) emerging as a potentially significant regulator of cellular processes. Through targeting miRNAs/mRNAs, circRNAs can impact cell growth and invasion in cervical cancer cells, making them a promising biomarker for diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an overview of the functional roles of circRNAs in the context of cervical cancer.