Advances in medical sciencesJul 28, 2026

How RNA chemical changes relate to cancer growth and resistance to platinum drugs

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Aug 3, 2026

Abstract

Epitranscriptomic regulation is linked to chemoresistance in cancer, affecting key processes in tumor biology.

RNA modifications like N6-methyladenosine and 5-methylcytosine influence mRNA stability and translation.
Regulatory proteins known as 'writers,' 'erasers,' and 'readers' control these RNA modifications.
In platinum-resistant tumors, changes in RNA modifications can alter DNA damage response and apoptosis.
Inhibition of key RNA regulators may enhance sensitivity of tumors to platinum drugs and boost anti-tumor immunity.
Clinical application is currently limited due to potential off-target effects and varying responses.

Simplified

Epitranscriptomic regulation has emerged as a critical mechanism in cancer biology, particularly in the development of chemoresistance. RNA modifications including N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A), 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C), N1-methyladenosine (m¹A), 7-methylguanosine (m⁷G), pseudouridine (Ψ), and A-to-I editing dynamically control mRNA stability, splicing, translation, and degradation. RNA-modifying proteins called 'writers,' 'erasers,' and 'readers' regulate post-transcriptional networks to enable tumor adaptation and chemoresistance. In platinum-resistant tumors, epitranscriptomic changes modulate DNA damage response, apoptosis, drug efflux, and detoxification pathways. Preclinical studies demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of key regulators, such as METTL3 inhibitors (STC-15, STM2457, UZH2) or FTO inhibitors, can sensitize tumors to platinum drugs and stimulate anti-tumor immunity. However, clinical translation remains limited by off-target effects, toxicity, and highly context-specific responses. Epitranscriptomic profiling may help identify novel biomarkers and guiding precision strategies to overcome chemoresistance.

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How RNA chemical changes relate to cancer growth and resistance to platinum drugs

Abstract

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