m6A readers: Promising therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) represents the most abundant and functionally significant RNA modification implicated in epigenetic regulation, significantly impacting gene expression through the selective recognition by m6A reader proteins. Aberrant expression of m6A readers has been associated with cancer progression, contributing to tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and immune evasion. With the increasing research on m6A readers, the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors targeting these proteins has emerged as a promising avenue for cancer therapy. This review delineates the classification and functional roles of m6A readers across various cancers. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss the recent progress in the development of small-molecule inhibitors, with a focus on the medicinal chemistry perspectives. We hope to provide valuable insights to guide future efforts in drug discovery and rational design targeting m6A readers for innovative cancer therapeutics.