Pathogenesis of Thyroid Cancer with Particular Emphasis on the Role of Anoikis

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the endocrine system, and its incidence has been increasing worldwide in recent years. Although it generally has a favorable prognosis, aggressive forms, such as anaplastic TC, are associated with high mortality rates. Cell-microenvironment interactions largely influence the progression and metastatic behavior of TC however, the precise mechanisms underlying these processes remain inadequately understood. One critical factor influencing metastasis is anoikis, a form of programmed cell death triggered by the detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix. Resistance to anoikis allows tumor cells to escape apoptosis, survive in circulation, and metastasize to distant organs. Given this pivotal role in metastasis, anoikis resistance represents a key area of study in understanding cancer progression. This review will discuss the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of TC, with a focus on the role of anoikis resistance in metastatic spread and thus its potential as a therapeutic target.