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Breast cancer (BC) is a major malignant tumor in females and the incidence rate of BC has increased worldwide in recent years. N 6 ‑methyladenosine (m 6 A) is a methylation modification that occurs extensively in eukaryotic RNA. The abnormal expression of m 6 A and related regulatory proteins can activate or inhibit certain signal pathways or oncogenes, thus affecting the proliferation, metastasis and prognosis of BC. Numerous studies have shown that m 6 A regulator disorder exists in BC, and this disorder can be reversed. Therefore, m 6 A is predicted as a potential therapeutic target for BC. However, the molecular mechanism of m 6 A RNA methylation regulating the occurrence and development of BC has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this review article, the functions of various m 6 A regulators and the specific mechanisms of certain regulators of the progress of BC were summarized. Furthermore, the dual role of RNA methylation in tumor progression was discussed, concluding that RNA methylation can not only lead to tumorigenesis but at times give rise to inhibition of tumor formation. In addition, further comprehensive analysis on mechanisms of m 6 A regulators in BC is conducive to screening effective potential targets and formulating targeted treatment strategies, which will provide new methods for the prevention and treatment of BC.

Prostate cancer (PCa) affects males of all racial and ethnic groups, and leads to higher rates of mortality in those belonging to a lower socioeconomic status due to the late detection of the disease. PCa affects middle‑aged males between the ages of 45 and 60 years, and is the highest cause of cancer‑associated mortality in Western countries. As the most abundant and common mRNA modification in higher eukaryotes, N 6 ‑methyladenosine (m 6 A) is widely distributed in mammalian cells and influences various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Recent studies have found that abnormal expression levels of various m 6 A regulators significantly affect the development and progression of various types of cancer, including PCa. The present review discusses the influence of m 6 A regulatory factors on the pathogenesis and progression of PCa through mRNA modification based on the current state of research on m 6 A methylation modification in PCa. It is considered that the treatment of PCa with micro‑molecular drugs that target the epigenetics of the m 6 A regulator to correct abnormal m 6 A modifications is a direction for future research into current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PCa.