Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most prevalent internal RNA modification, especially within eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs). m(6)A modifications of RNA regulate splicing, translocation, stability, and translation into proteins. m(6)A modifications are catalyzed by RNA methyltransferases, such as METTL3, METTL14, and WTAP (writers); the modifications are removed by the demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and ALKBH5 (ALKB homolog 5) (erasers); and the modifications are recognized by m(6)A-binding proteins, such as YTHDF domain-containing proteins and IGF2BPs (readers). Abnormal changes in the m(6)A levels of these genes are closely related to tumor occurrence and development. In this paper, we review the role of m(6)A in human cancer and summarize its prospective applications in cancer.