Exploring m6A modifications in gastric cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

m6A modifications in gastric cancer (GC) are increasingly recognized as key drivers of tumor progression. m6A regulators show differential expression: high writers such as METTL3 and WTAP associate with poor prognosis and aggressive features, while reduced METTL14 and altered demethylases like FTO and ALKBH5 relate to distinct survival outcomes. These regulators influence proliferation, invasion, migration, glycolysis, and chemotherapy resistance, impacting tumor growth and therapy responses. Profiling m6A patterns and m6A-related gene expression supports improved clinical diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an updated summary of molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance, and translational applications for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

m6A modifications and enzymes in cancer

Relevance to gastric cancer and clinical need

Li etal. European Journal of Medical Research (2025) 30:98 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02353-5](https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02353-5) European Journal of Medical Research REVIEW Open Access Exploring m6A modifications in gastric cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications Penghui Li1*, Xiangjie Fang2 and Di Huang3 Abstract The significance of m6A modifications in several biological processes has been increasingly recognized, particularly in the context of cancer. For instance, m6A modifications in gastric cancer (GC) have been significantly implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. GC is characterized by the differential expression of m6A regulators. High expression writers such as METTL3 and WTAP are associated with poor prognosis and aggressive clinical features. Conversely, low expression of METTL14 is linked to worse clinical outcomes, whereas elevated levels of demethylases, such as FTO and ALKBH5, correlate with better survival rates. These m6A regulators influence several cellular biological functions, including proliferation, invasion, migration, glycolysis, and chemotherapy resistance, thereby affecting tumor growth and therapeutic outcomes. The assessment of m6A modification patterns and the expression profiles of m6A-related genes hold substantial potential for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of GC. In this review, we provide an updated and comprehensive summary ofthe role of m6A modifications in GC, emphasizing their molecular mechanisms, clinical significance, and translational applications in developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Keywords m6A, Expression, Molecular mechanism, Biological functions, Treatment resistance *Correspondence: Penghui Li[lph0819@163.com](lph0819@163.com) Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.)[.](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.) Li etal. European Journal of Medical Research (2025) 30:98 Page 2 of 17 Graphical Abstract Introduction Gastric cancer (GC), a malignant tumor, continues to bea significant global health concern [1, 2]. Although certain countries have witnessed a decline in incidence and mortality rates, it remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide [3, 4]. The outcome for GC is generally unfavorable, particularly when diagnosed atan advanced stage [5]. Traditional treatment methods, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, display limited effectiveness, especially in advanced cases. Recent progress has been witnessed in developing new therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, cellbased immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines [6–9]. However, the majority of patients are diagnosed at later stages due to the lack of widespread early screening programs, which significantly affects treatment success and

FAQs

Why are m6A modifications important in gastric cancer?

m6A modifications are implicated in tumor progression, including metastasis and treatment resistance. Dysregulated m6A regulators influence key cellular processes such as proliferation, invasion, migration, and glycolysis.

How do m6A regulators relate to prognosis in gastric cancer?

High expression of writers like METTL3 and WTAP is associated with poor prognosis and aggressive clinical features. Conversely, low METTL14 and specific demethylase expression patterns (e.g., FTO, ALKBH5) correlate with different survival outcomes.

How can m6A profiling contribute to clinical practice?

Assessing m6A modification patterns and the expression profiles of m6A-related genes can support improved clinical diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. The review emphasizes translational applications for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel