C2CD4D and THEM5 antisense RNA 1 (C2CD4D-AS1)

C2CD4D and THEM5 antisense RNA 1 (C2CD4D-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA overexpressed in several human cancers, most notably lung adenocarcinoma. Functionally, it is involved in promoting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while suppressing apoptosis. Mechanistically, C2CD4D-AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-3681-3p, leading to increased expression of the oncogenic kinase NEK2. Its transcription is directly upregulated by the transcription factor ETV4. C2CD4D-AS1 plays an important role in the malignant behavior of cancer cells and is under study both as a candidate biomarker and as a potential target for cancer therapy.

Not classically druggable; biological mechanism involves:\n- Acting as an RNA molecular sponge for microRNA miR-3681-3p, thereby upregulating NEK2 expression\n- Transcriptional activation via ETS variant transcription factor 4 (ETV4)