Cross talk between RNA modification writers and tumor development as a basis for guiding personalized therapy of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) shows high metastasis and low survival. RNA modification writers play critical roles in tumor development. This study examined the clinical significance of RNA modification writers in GC prognosis based on four types of adenosine modifications (m(1)A, m(6)A, APA and A-to-I). RESULTS: Writers demonstrated high mutation and expression in GC patients. Different expressions of 26 RNA modification writers were differentially associated with GC prognosis. High-WM score group appeared worse overall survival, higher immune infiltration and activation of EMT pathways than low-WM score group. WM score was correlated with both miRNAs-targeted signaling pathways and patients’ sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs and efficacy of immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study further revealed the close association between adenosine-related RNA modifications and progression of GC. A cross talk between EMT and RNA modification was identified to be one of the mechanisms underlying GC development. Our WM scoring system could serve as a clinical indicator for predicting GC prognosis. Importantly, the WM score could guide personalized treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy for GC patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40246-022-00386-z.