Transcriptomics of thyroid cancer

The review of achievements in thyroid cancer (TC) transcriptomics aims to show how they have deepened our understanding of the processes underlying malignant transformation and the mechanisms of TC progression. The review starts with the earliest studies on the gene expression profile of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), briefly describes diagnostic advances enabled by transcriptomic methods, and focuses on mechanisms in which interactions between tumor cells and microenvironment are crucial for the progression from papillary to anaplastic cancer. A deeper understanding of these processes was possible with single-cell RNA-seq. Such studies identified subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and immune cells, that exhibit marked differences in their molecular phenotypes. Taken together, these findings extended the scope of TC transcriptomics beyond the characterization of malignant thyroid cells alone and highlighted the dynamic interactions between tumor cells and surrounding microenvironment. Single-cell RNA-seq of aggressive TC support the concept that stromal remodeling is closely associated with TC dedifferentiation and gives new insights into the mechanisms underlying PTC progression. In conclusion, transcriptomic research has substantially changed our understanding of TC biology. It has provided not only diagnostic tools that enable accurate decisions regarding the need for thyroid surgery in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules, but has also enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the PTC transition to anaplastic cancer. Although conclusions drawn from transcriptomic studies require independent validation, the insights gained from these studies provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms of TC progression and are likely to find clinical applications.