Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 and cancer metastasis

Since Malat1 was identified as a prognostic marker for poor clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, number of Malat1 studies have revealed its roles in human cancers (1,2). Recently, we demonstrated unexpected Malat1function in suppressing breast cancer metastasis using genetic mouse and cell line models of breast cancer (3). Here, I review the controversies in Malat1studies conducted by ourselves and others by comparing research designs and interpreting the results.