Progress and application of epitranscriptomic m(6)A modification in gastric cancer

The relationship between epitranscriptomics and malignant tumours has become a popular research topic in recent years. N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A), the most common post-transcriptional modification in mammals, is involved in various physiological processes in different cancer types, including gastric cancer (GC). The incidence and mortality of GC have been increasing annually, especially in developing countries. Insights into the epitranscriptomic mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis could provide potential strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of GC. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of RNA m6A modification; the functions of m6A regulators in GC; the functional crosstalk among m6A, messenger RNA, and noncoding RNA; and the promising application of m(6)A in the diagnosis and treatment of GC.