RNA Splicing: Basic Aspects Underlie Antitumor Targeting.

RNA splicing, a fundamental step in gene expression, is aimed at intron removal and ordering of exons to form the protein's reading frame. This review is focused on the role of RNA splicing in cancer biology; the splicing abnormalities that lead to tumor progression emerge as targets for therapeutic intervention. We discuss the role of aberrant mRNA splicing in carcinogenesis and drug response. Pharmacological modulation of RNA splicing sets the stage for treatment approaches in situations where mRNA splicing is a clinically meaningful mechanism of the disease.