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Epitranscriptomic control of cancer hallmarks: Functions, mechanisms, and therapeutics of RNA modifications

Xiaolan Deng1, Dong Wu1, Yingqi Zhao2

  • 1Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Center for RNA Biology and Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.

Cancer Cell
|December 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The epitranscriptome, or RNA modifications, plays a key role in cancer by influencing cell growth and treatment resistance. Understanding these RNA marks offers new avenues for cancer biomarkers and therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The epitranscriptome comprises over 170 RNA modifications that regulate gene expression.
  • Key modifications like m6A, m5C, and Ψ impact RNA processing, stability, and translation.
  • These RNA marks are increasingly recognized for their roles in cellular identity and stress responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a mechanistic framework linking RNA modifications and regulators to cancer hallmarks.
  • To highlight the interplay between epitranscriptomic regulators and cancer pathways.
  • To evaluate the potential of epitranscriptomic regulators as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advances in epitranscriptome detection technologies.
  • Analysis of functional perturbation tools and spatial profiling in cancer research.
  • Integration of current knowledge on RNA modifications and cancer biology.

Main Results:

  • RNA modifications are integrated with oncogenic signaling networks in cancer.
  • Epitranscriptomic alterations influence cancer proliferation, metabolism, immune evasion, stemness, and drug resistance.
  • Emerging insights reveal the interface between epitranscriptomic regulators and canonical cancer pathways.

Conclusions:

  • RNA modification is a pivotal regulatory axis in cancer biology.
  • The epitranscriptome presents a promising frontier for translational cancer intervention.
  • Epitranscriptomic regulators hold potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer.

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