mA modification: a new avenue for anti-cancer therapy.

To date, over 170 different kinds of chemical modifications on RNAs have been identified, some of which are involved in multiple aspects of RNA fate, ranging from RNA processing, nuclear export, translation, and RNA decay. mA, also known as -methyladenosine, is a prominent internal RNA modification that is catalyzed primarily by the METTL3-METTL14-WTAP methyltransferase complex in higher eukaryotic mRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). In recent years, abnormal mA modification has been linked to the occurrence, development, progression, and prognosis of the majority of cancers. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent mA modification discoveries as well as the critical roles of mA modification in cancer development and progression. We summarize the mechanisms of mA involvement in cancer and list potential cancer therapy inhibitors that target mA regulators such as "writer" METTL3 and "eraser" FTO.