RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications
ABSTRACT RNA epigenetics, also referred to as epitranscriptomics, has emerged as a critical regulatory layer in cancer biology, extending beyond the scope of traditional DNA and histone modifications. It encompasses a series of dynamic posttranscriptional processes—including RNA biosynthesis, splici...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-08-01
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| Series: | MedComm |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70322 |
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| author | Shanhe Huang Zonglin Li Weilong Lin Ruihui Xie Hai Huang |
| author_facet | Shanhe Huang Zonglin Li Weilong Lin Ruihui Xie Hai Huang |
| author_sort | Shanhe Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT RNA epigenetics, also referred to as epitranscriptomics, has emerged as a critical regulatory layer in cancer biology, extending beyond the scope of traditional DNA and histone modifications. It encompasses a series of dynamic posttranscriptional processes—including RNA biosynthesis, splicing, transport, stability, degradation, translation, and chemical modifications—orchestrated by RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Collectively, these mechanisms influence mRNA fate, shape transcriptional output, and reprogram the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, both coding RNA and ncRNA are themselves subjected to epigenetic regulation, forming intricate feedback loops that contribute to oncogenesis, immune evasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we systematically synthesize the current understanding of RNA metabolism and RNA epigenetic modifications during tumor progression, with a particular focus on the roles of RBPs and RNA modifications. Furthermore, we highlight recent advances in RNA‐based therapeutic strategies, including mRNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, and circRNA scaffolds. These innovative approaches offer promising avenues for targeting transcriptionally active yet genomically “undruggable” cancer drivers. Together, our synthesis provides a comprehensive framework for understanding RNA epigenetics in tumor biology and lays the groundwork for precision oncology guided by transcriptome plasticity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ae02a5d1d0848debddab30cddfa4c0d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2688-2663 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MedComm |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ae02a5d1d0848debddab30cddfa4c0d2025-08-20T03:43:34ZengWileyMedComm2688-26632025-08-0168n/an/a10.1002/mco2.70322RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic ImplicationsShanhe Huang0Zonglin Li1Weilong Lin2Ruihui Xie3Hai Huang4Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou ChinaDepartment of Urology Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou ChinaDepartment of Urology Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou ChinaDepartment of Urology Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou ChinaDepartment of Urology Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou ChinaABSTRACT RNA epigenetics, also referred to as epitranscriptomics, has emerged as a critical regulatory layer in cancer biology, extending beyond the scope of traditional DNA and histone modifications. It encompasses a series of dynamic posttranscriptional processes—including RNA biosynthesis, splicing, transport, stability, degradation, translation, and chemical modifications—orchestrated by RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Collectively, these mechanisms influence mRNA fate, shape transcriptional output, and reprogram the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, both coding RNA and ncRNA are themselves subjected to epigenetic regulation, forming intricate feedback loops that contribute to oncogenesis, immune evasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we systematically synthesize the current understanding of RNA metabolism and RNA epigenetic modifications during tumor progression, with a particular focus on the roles of RBPs and RNA modifications. Furthermore, we highlight recent advances in RNA‐based therapeutic strategies, including mRNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, and circRNA scaffolds. These innovative approaches offer promising avenues for targeting transcriptionally active yet genomically “undruggable” cancer drivers. Together, our synthesis provides a comprehensive framework for understanding RNA epigenetics in tumor biology and lays the groundwork for precision oncology guided by transcriptome plasticity.https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70322RNA epigeneticsRNA metabolismpan‐cancertargeted therapy |
| spellingShingle | Shanhe Huang Zonglin Li Weilong Lin Ruihui Xie Hai Huang RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications MedComm RNA epigenetics RNA metabolism pan‐cancer targeted therapy |
| title | RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_full | RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_fullStr | RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_short | RNA Epigenetics in Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_sort | rna epigenetics in cancer current knowledge and therapeutic implications |
| topic | RNA epigenetics RNA metabolism pan‐cancer targeted therapy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70322 |
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