m6A RNA methylation: A key regulator in renal cell carcinoma development and tumor radioresistance

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a highly prevalent malignancy within the urinary system. While surgery combined with adjuvant therapy has significantly improved survival rates for early-stage patients, those with advanced disease or intolerance to surgery face significant therapeutic challenges. A core issue is the limited efficacy of radiotherapy, often constrained by the intrinsic radioresistance of tumors. As a crucial mechanism of epitranscriptomic regulation, m6A RNA methylation profoundly influences the malignant progression of RCC and the radioresistance of various cancers by dynamically regulating key gene networks. Targeting central components of the m6A regulatory pathway (e.g., METTL3, FTO, and YTHDF family) holds promise as a novel strategy to overcome therapeutic hurdles in RCC and enhance tumor radiosensitivity.