Narrative review of research progress of RNA m5C methylation in head and neck malignancies.

Background and objective: Head and neck malignancies encompass a spectrum of malignant tumors occurring in the head and neck region, characterized by rapid progression, high recurrence rates, and dismal prognoses. Despite significant advancements in comprehensive surgery-based therapies, the 5-year survival rate for patients has not shown substantial improvement. There is an urgent need to investigate novel targeted therapies. With the advancements in epigenetics, RNA 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C) methylation, a prevalent form of RNA modification, has been identified by numerous studies as playing a pivotal role in the pathological processes of tumorigenesis and development. However, a comprehensive review within the realm of head and neck malignancies is currently lacking. This study aims to comprehensively review the biological implications of RNA m⁵C methylation regulators in the pathogenesis and progression of various systemic malignant tumors, with a specific focus on exploring the potential impact of RNA m⁵C methylation on head and neck malignancies.

Methods: A literature search on RNA m⁵C methylation and head and neck malignancies was conducted using PubMed, resulting in the inclusion of 46 relevant articles. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was utilized to analyze the correlation between m⁵C regulatory factors and clinicopathological features in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Key content and findings: Aberrant expression of RNA m⁵C methylation regulators is observed in head and neck malignancies, displaying a correlation with the clinicopathological grading of tumors.

Conclusions: RNA m⁵C methylation may contribute to the progression of head and neck malignancies and could be associated with an unfavorable prognosis for patients. These findings offer valuable insights for the development of targeted treatments for head and neck malignancies.