Advances in research on RNA methylation and its role in the immune microenvironment of gastrointestinal tumors

RNA methylation is a key epigenetic regulatory mechanism that precisely regulates gene expression through the dynamic and reversible actions of “Writers,” “Erasers” and “Readers”. In recent years, RNA methylation has been widely implicated in tumor formation and immune regulation. For instance, in gastrointestinal tumors, the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important factor driving cancer progression. Research indicates that RNA methylation restructures the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by modulating tumor and immune cell functions and reprogramming immune metabolism. This process thereby regulates immune evasion and treatment response. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanism of RNA methylation affecting immune regulation in gastrointestinal tumors can not only help elucidate new patterns of tumor development but also provide important evidence for developing new strategies that combine targeted RNA methylation with immunotherapy. This article aims to review the latest research progress in this field and looks forward to potential clinical applications.