The Role of M6A LncRNA Modification in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid Cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine cancer, of which papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a well-differentiated type of TC, accounts for 80-90%. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which comprise non-protein-coding segments of the genome, have been found to play a crucial role in various biological processes, including cancer development. The activity of lncRNAs is modified through epigenetic modifications, with N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modifications implicated in the progression of several malignancies. The activity of m6A is further regulated by modifying enzymes classified as "readers", writers", and "erasers", of which specific enzymes have been found to play a role in various aspects of PTC. Recent research has highlighted the significance of m6A modification in regulating the expression and function of lncRNAs associated with PTC pathogenesis. Dysregulation of this process implicates tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, with subsequent impact on prognosis. Therefore, understanding the interplay between m6A modification and lncRNAs provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying PTC progression. This narrative review aims to explore the established role of several prominent m6A modifying enzymes and lncRNAs on cancer pathogenesis and seeks to clarify the function of these enzymes in PTC pathogenesis.