Targeting N6-methyladenosine RNA modification combined with immune checkpoint Inhibitors: A new approach for cancer therapy

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy by restoring the host antitumor immune response. Since 2011, various ICIs have been approved for the treatment of cancers, which has led to unprecedented prolongation of the survival time for some patients. Although ICIs have been successfully applied in the treatment of different cancers, the low effectiveness rate has dramatically restrained the clinical application of ICI treatment. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most common RNA methylation. Recent studies have pointed out that m6A epigenetic modification could improve the efficacy of ICI blockade treatment. Here, we briefly summarize the relevant mechanisms of tumour immunity, the clinical application of ICIs, the resistance to ICI treatment in cancers, and the m6A epigenetic modification and how it regulates the response to ICI treatment. We attempted to provide a potential strategy for cancer therapy by targeting m6A modification combined with ICI blockade treatment.

Keywords

• ICB
• M6A modification
• Cancer immunotherapy
• m6A regulators