Drug pipeline
Full profile accessExplore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.
- Drug candidates
- Developers
- Development stage
Target intelligence / Profile preview
MFSD4A antisense RNA 1 (MFSD4A-AS1)
- Target
- MFSD4A-AS1
- Molecular classification
- Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), Antisense RNA
01
Overview
MFSD4A-AS1 is a long non-coding antisense RNA upregulated in papillary thyroid cancer tissues with lymphatic metastasis. It exerts its oncogenic effect by functioning as a competing endogenous RNA, sequestering multiple miRNAs (miR-30c-2-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-145-3p), disrupting their regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A and C (VEGFA, VEGFC), and activating TGF-β signaling by freeing activators such as TGFBR2 and USP15. These mechanisms promote tumor lymphangiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. As a novel lncRNA, MFSD4A-AS1 represents a promising target for RNA-based therapies and a candidate biomarker for identifying patients at high risk for metastatic thyroid cancer.
- Other names
- MFSD4A-AS1
02
Mechanism of action
Hypothetically, drugs targeting MFSD4A-AS1 would likely use RNA interference or antisense technologies to suppress its expression or disrupt its miRNA interactions. Drugs could aim to block the ceRNA (miRNA sponging) activity and normalize the regulation of VEGFA, VEGFC, and TGF-β signaling.
03
Biological functions
Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA): Sponges microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-30c-2-3p, miR-145-3p, and miR-139-5p, thus regulating gene expressionPromotion of lymphangiogenesis: Facilitates the formation of new lymphatic vessels in tumor tissueEnhancement of cell migration and invasion: Increases invasiveness and metastatic capabilities of PTC cells
04
Disease associations
Cancer: Most evidence pertains to papillary thyroid cancer, particularly its role in promoting lymphatic metastasisOther: Role in other cancers remains unexplored or not reported
05
Safety considerations
Therapeutic Challenges: Targeting lncRNAs poses delivery, specificity, and off-target effect challengesNo clinical safety concerns reported to date—reflects an early stage of drug development
06
Interacting drugs
None reported
07
Biomarkers
MFSD4A-AS1 expression levels in tumor tissue: Its upregulation is associated with lymphatic metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer and could be used as a biomarker for patient stratification or prognosis
Beyond the preview
Go deeper on MFSD4A antisense RNA 1 (MFSD4A-AS1).
Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.
Clinical trials
Full profile accessFollow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.
- Trial design
- Status
- Readouts
Competitive landscape
Full profile accessCompare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.
- Programs
- Modalities
- Indications
Literature & evidence
Full profile accessInvestigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.
- Publications
- Sources
- Analysis
Patents
Full profile accessExplore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.
- Patents
- Assignees
- Technologies
Research & analysis
Full profile accessConnect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.
- Biology
- Development news
- Analysis
Bring the full picture into focus.
See how Gosset can support your research on MFSD4A antisense RNA 1 (MFSD4A-AS1).