BackgroundAccumulating data indicate that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and lncRNA deregulation act crucial roles in cancer progression. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (HNRNPA2B1) as an m6A “reader” has been reported to be an oncogene in multiple malignancies. We herein aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanism by which HNRNPA2B1-mediated m6A modification of lncRNAs contributes to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsThe expression levels of HNRNPA2B1 and their association with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in NSCLC were determined by RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and TCGA dataset. Then, the role of HNRNPA2B1 in NSCLC cells was assessed by in vitro functional experiments and in vivo tumorigenesis and lung metastasis models. HNRNPA2B1-mediated m6A modification of lncRNAs was screened by m6A-lncRNA epi-transcriptomic microarray and verified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me-RIP). The lncRNA MEG3-specific binding with miR-21-5p was evaluated by luciferase gene report and RIP assays. The effects of HNRNPA2B1 and (or) lncRNA MEG3 on miR-21-5p/PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses.ResultsWe found that upregulation of HNRNPA2B1 was associated with distant metastasis and poor survival, representing an independent prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC. Knockdown of HNRNPA2B1 impaired cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, whereas ectopic expression of HNRNPA2B1 possessed the opposite effects. Mechanical investigations revealed that lncRNA MEG3 was an m6A target of HNRNPA2B1 and inhibition of HNRNPA2B1 decreased MEG3 m6A levels but increased its mRNA levels. Furthermore, lncRNA MEG3 could act as a sponge of miR-21-5p to upregulate PTEN and inactivate PI3K/AKT signaling, leading to the suppression of cell proliferation and invasion. Low expression of lncRNA MEG3 or elevated expression of miR-21-5p indicated poor survival in patients with NSCLC.ConclusionsOur findings uncover that HNRNPA2B1-mediated m6A modification of lncRNA MEG3 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis of NSCLC cells by regulating miR-21-5p/PTEN axis and may provide a therapeutic target for NSCLC.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-023-04190-8.