随着研究的最新进展，我们对 RNA 生物学的理解不断发展，从非功能性产品发展到具有特定调节功能的基因组分子。竞争性内源性 RNA (ceRNA) 就是这样的一个例子，它作为转录后调控机制的重要组成部分，随着时间的推移而受到重视。 ceRNA 生物学假说指出，编码 RNA 和非编码 RNA 使用 microRNA (miRNA) 响应元件相互共同调节。 ceRNA成分包括长链非编码RNA、假基因和环状RNA，它们通过与miRNA相互作用发挥作用并调节其靶基因的表达水平。新的证据表明，ceRNA 网络的失调可归因于各种癌症的发病机制，包括头颈鳞状细胞癌 (HNSCC)。这是最常见的癌症，由唇、口腔、喉和咽部的粘膜上皮发展而来。尽管人们已做出许多努力来了解 HNSCC 的病因和后续治疗，但发病率和死亡率仍然很高。因此，迫切需要了解 ceRNA 介导的 HNSCC 的整体进展，这对于识别具有明确治疗干预措施的新型生物标志物具有巨大的相关性。在这篇综述中，我们努力强调 ceRNA 生物学假说，重点关注其参与 HNSCC 的进展。为了识别此类 ceRNA，我们还重点介绍了一些数据库和工具。© 作者 2023。由牛津大学出版社出版。版权所有。如需权限，请发送电子邮件至：journals.permissions@oup.com。

Our understanding of RNA biology has evolved with recent advances in research from it being a non-functional product to molecules of the genome with specific regulatory functions. Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), which has gained prominence over time as an essential part of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism, is one such example. The ceRNA biology hypothesis states that coding RNA and non-coding RNA co-regulate each other using microRNA (miRNA) response elements. The ceRNA components include long non-coding RNAs, pseudogene and circular RNAs that exert their effect by interacting with miRNA and regulate the expression level of its target genes. Emerging evidence has revealed that the dysregulation of the ceRNA network is attributed to the pathogenesis of various cancers, including the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This is the most prevalent cancer developed from the mucosal epithelium in the lip, oral cavity, larynx and pharynx. Although many efforts have been made to comprehend the cause and subsequent treatment of HNSCC, the morbidity and mortality rate remains high. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand the holistic progression of HNSCC, mediated by ceRNA, that can have immense relevance in identifying novel biomarkers with a defined therapeutic intervention. In this review, we have made an effort to highlight the ceRNA biology hypothesis with a focus on its involvement in the progression of HNSCC. For the identification of such ceRNAs, we have additionally highlighted a number of databases and tools.© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.