The potential role of m6A reader YTHDF1 as diagnostic biomarker and the signaling pathways in tumorigenesis and metastasis in pan-cancer

m6A is an important RNA methylation in progression of various human cancers. As the m6A reader protein, YTHDF1 is reported to accelerate m6A-modified mRNAs translation in cytoplasm. It is highly expressed in various human cancers and contributes to the progression and metastasis of cancers. YTHDF1 was closely associated with poor prognosis and also used as a molecular marker for clinical diagnosis or therapy in human cancers. It has been reported to promote chemoresistance to Adriamycin, Cisplatin and Olaparib by increasing mRNA stability of its target molecule. Moreover, it contributes to CSC-like characteristic of tumor cells and inducing the antitumor immune microenvironment. Here, we reviewed the clinical diagnostic and prognostic values of YTHDF1, as well as the molecular mechanisms of YTHDF1 in progression and metastasis of human cancers.