RNA Modifications in Viral Infections and Virus-Associated Tumors: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

RNA modifications have emerged as a crucial area of research within molecular viral pathogenesis, providing new insights into how viruses hijack host gene expression machinery and how hosts mount innate and adaptive defenses. The epitranscriptome, encompassing a variety of chemical marks on both viral and host RNAs, has been implicated in determining viral replication efficiency, modulating immune responses, and enabling viral persistence. Recent studies have highlighted the dual roles of RNA-modifying enzymes and reader proteins in shaping the outcome of infection and influencing the transition from chronic viral infection to malignant transformation. However, the precise mechanisms by which viruses manipulate, or are affected by, these RNA modifications remain incompletely understood. There are still considerable gaps regarding how epitranscriptomic changes drive virus-associated tumorigenesis and how these pathways can be exploited for molecular intervention and targeted therapy. Tackling these questions is essential as we seek to link advanced molecular understanding with clinical translation in the fight against viral diseases and related cancers.This Research Topic aims to advance the field by collecting cutting-edge research that elucidates the mechanistic basis of RNA modifications in regulating host–virus interactions and viral pathogenesis, as well as their roles in the development of virus-associated tumors. Particular attention will be given to studies that uncover how RNA modifications affect the viral life cycle, immune evasion, host antiviral defenses, and the molecular cascades linking infection to oncogenesis. Research exploring new therapeutic strategies, such as RNA-targeted drugs, vaccines, or virus-based vectors, grounded in a deep mechanistic understanding of epitranscriptomic regulation will be especially valued. The goal is to foster an integrated perspective on how epitranscriptomic machinery cross-talks with viral and host pathways, paving the way for innovative antiviral and anticancer strategies.The Scope of this Research Topic is restricted to mechanistic, molecular, and interdisciplinary studies that advance knowledge about RNA modifications in viral infections and virus-associated tumors, excluding work that is solely diagnostic or genetic testing focused without mechanistic interrogation.To gather further insights into these processes and enhance our understanding of molecular viral pathogenesis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Mechanistic roles of RNA modifications in various stages of the viral life cycle, including entry, replication, translation, packaging, shedding, transmission, and persistence or latencyo RNA modification machinery (writers, erasers, readers), RNA-binding proteins, and their role in host susceptibility and antiviral defenseo Viral manipulation of host epitranscriptomic networks, with downstream effects on immune signaling and viral virulenceo The role of RNA modifications in virus-associated tumorigenesis, particularly mechanisms linking chronic infection and inflammation to transformationo Development of therapeutic strategies targeting RNA modification pathways, including small-molecule modulators, RNA-based therapies, antiviral agents, vaccines, and virus-based gene therapy vectorso Use of systems-level, multi-omics, single-cell, or computational modeling approaches that pinpoint causal molecular mechanisms underlying infection or oncogenic progressionSubmissions primarily focused on clinical diagnosis, biomarker discovery without mechanistic investigation, or genetic testing that does not elucidate molecular viral mechanisms will not be considered. Translational implications are welcome when clearly anchored in mechanistic findings. Topic editors: Yaguang Zhang, Congya Zhou, Xiaoyan Hu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79312/rna-modifications-in-viral-infections-and-virus-associated-tumors-mechanisms-and-therapeutic-potential