m6A readers: Promising therapeutic targets in cancer treatment

<i>N</i> 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.