m6A demethylase FTO renders radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma via promoting OTUB1-mediated anti-ferroptosis

•FTO was upregulated in radioresistant NPC and enhances radioresistance of NPC by repressing radiation-induced ferroptosis.•FTO erases the m6A modification of the OTUB1 transcript and promote the expression of OTUB1 in NPC.•FTO inhibitor FB23-2 and the ferroptosis activator erastin altered NPC responsiveness to radiotherapy.