Role of N6‑methyladenosine in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (Review).

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) affects males of all racial and ethnic groups, and leads to higher rates of mortality in those belonging to a lower socioeconomic status due to the late detection of the disease. PCa affects middle‑aged males between the ages of 45 and 60 years, and is the highest cause of cancer‑associated mortality in Western countries. As the most abundant and common mRNA modification in higher eukaryotes, N6‑methyladenosine (m6A) is widely distributed in mammalian cells and influences various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Recent studies have found that abnormal expression levels of various m6A regulators significantly affect the development and progression of various types of cancer, including PCa. The present review discusses the influence of m6A regulatory factors on the pathogenesis and progression of PCa through mRNA modification based on the current state of research on m6A methylation modification in PCa. It is considered that the treatment of PCa with micro‑molecular drugs that target the epigenetics of the m6A regulator to correct abnormal m6A modifications is a direction for future research into current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PCa.