Decoding drug resistance: the role of m6A modification in cisplatin efficacy
Open Access
- 1 April 2026
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Nature in European Journal of Medical Research
- Vol. 31 (1)
Abstract
Cisplatin is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic drugs in treating malignant tumors. However, its clinical efficacy is severely compromised by the emergence of drug resistance. Recent studies have highlighted N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, a key epigenetic regulatory mechanism, as playing a crucial role in the development of cisplatin resistance. m6A modification regulates essential RNA processes, including RNA stability, translation efficiency, and subcellular localization, through the coordinated activities of “writers” (e.g., METTL3, WTAP), “erasers” (e.g., FTO, ALKBH5), and “readers” (e.g., YTH family, GF2BPfamily). These regulatory effects ultimately affect cancer cell sensitivity to cisplatin. Furthermore, m6A modification is critically involved in the regulation of fundamental cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and tumor metabolism, thereby contributing to the reinforcement of resistance mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms through which m6A modification mediates cisplatin resistance and discusses its potential implications for precision cancer therapy. This review consolidates the scientific foundation for potential future strategies and innovative approaches targeting chemoresistance.Keywords
Funding Information
- Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2023QH460)
- Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2023LSW017)
- Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2025MS1322)
This publication has 91 references indexed in Scilit:
- The m6 A modification of CDKN2 A inhibites ferroptosis and affects the resistance of cervical squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatinNaunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 2025
- YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification promotes cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer via the FZD7/Wnt/β-catenin pathwayApoptosis, 2025
- IGF2BP1-HAX-1 positive feedback loop-mediated HAX-1 overexpression blocks autophagic flux and promotes chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinomaCellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2025
- m 6 A‐Modified SNRPA Controls Alternative Splicing of ERCC1 Exon 8 to Induce Cisplatin Resistance in Lung AdenocarcinomaAdvanced Science, 2024
- Moving beyond cisplatin resistance: mechanisms, challenges, and prospects for overcoming recurrence in clinical cancer therapyMedical Oncology, 2023
- PRMT3‐Mediated Arginine Methylation of METTL14 Promotes Malignant Progression and Treatment Resistance in Endometrial CarcinomaAdvanced Science, 2023
- Mechanism of METTL14-mediated m6A modification in non-small cell lung cancer cell resistance to cisplatinJournal of Molecular Medicine, 2022
- YTHDF2 promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression and desensitises cisplatin treatment by increasing CDKN1B mRNA degradationClinical and Translational Medicine, 2022
- Epigenetic modifications control loss of adhesion and aggressiveness of cancer stem cells derived from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with intrinsic resistance to cisplatinArchives of Oral Biology, 2022
- YTHDF2 interference suppresses the EMT of cervical cancer cells and enhances cisplatin chemosensitivity by regulating AXIN1Drug Development Research, 2022