Abstract
Methyladenosine modifications are the most abundant RNA modifications, including N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A), N1-methyladenosine (m(1)A), and 2'-O-methyladenosine (m(6)A(m)). As reversible epigenetic modifications, methyladenosine modifications in eukaryotic RNAs are not invariable. Drastic alterations of m(6)A are found in a variety of diseases, including cancers. Dynamic changes of m(6)A modification induced by abnormal methyltransferase, demethylases, and readers can regulate cancer progression via interfering with the splicing, localization, translation, and stability of mRNAs. Meanwhile, m(6)A, m(1)A, and m(6)A(m) modifications also exert regulatory effects on noncoding RNAs in cancer progression. In this paper, we reviewed recent findings concerning the underlying biomechanism of methyladenosine modifications in oncogenesis and metastasis and discussed the therapeutic potential of methyladenosine modifications in cancer treatments.