N⁶-Methyladenosine modification: a novel pharmacological target for anti-cancer drug development

N⁶-Methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification is the most pervasive modification of human mRNA molecules. It is reversible via regulation of m⁶A modification methyltransferase, demethylase and proteins that preferentially recognize m⁶A modification as “writers”, “erasers” and “readers”, respectively. Altered expression levels of the m⁶A modification key regulators substantially affect their function, leading to significant phenotype changes in the cell and organism. Recent studies have proved that the m⁶A modification plays significant roles in regulation of metabolism, stem cell self-renewal, and metastasis in a variety of human cancers. In this review, we describe the potential roles of m⁶A modification in human cancers and summarize their underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, we will highlight potential therapeutic approaches by targeting the key m⁶A modification regulators for cancer drug development.