Aberrant RNA N6-methyladenosine modification causes tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis of malignant tumors by affecting cancer stem cells / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is one of the most pervasive epigenetic modifications that correlate with gene expression, regulated by a variety of methylases, demethylases and reader proteins. m6A has been found crucial during cancer progression, aberrant changes of which contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis. It's also been reported to be influential on chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance of malignant tumors by inducing cancer stem cells (CSC) generation and enhancing post-therapy damage resistance, thus causing the progression or recurrence. In this review, we review the regulation of RNA m6A modification and focus on recent advances in functions of dysregulated m6A modification in the pathogenesis of cancer progression and recurrence. In addition, we also discuss the possible participation of CSC in this process combining current perspectives on the chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance mechanism of CSC.