The momentous role of N6‐methyladenosine in lung cancer

Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although diagnostic methods and targeted drugs have been rapidly developed in recent years, the underlying molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of lung cancer remain enigmatic. The N6‐methyladenosine (m 6 A) modification is the most common modification of messenger RNA in eukaryotes and plays critical roles in many diseases, especially cancers. Ectopic m 6 A modification is associated with human carcinogenesis, including lung cancer. The m 6 A modification is mediated by methyltransferases (writers) and demethylases (erasers) and indirectly affects biological processes through the recruitment of specific reader proteins (readers). Many studies have shown that m 6 A writers, erasers, and readers serve as specific and sensitive biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. This review summarizes recent studies on the biological functions of the m 6 A modification in lung cancer and discusses the potential application of m 6 A regulators in lung cancer diagnosis and therapeutics.