Sialylation in Thyroid Carcinoma: An Overview of Mechanisms, Markers, and Therapeutic Opportunities

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the endocrine system, with its incidence rising annually worldwide. Post-translational modifications and epigenetic changes have been documented to be pivotal in the initiation, progression, and malignant transformation of TC. In addition to mediating biological processes such as cell recognition, signal transduction, and immune regulation, these modifications can also significantly impact the development and metastasis of various cancers. Among these, sialylation is identified as a key post-translational modification, showing close associations with the invasiveness and metastatic potential of TC. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of sialylation in TC, highlighting its underlying mechanisms and examining its roles in cell proliferation, invasion, and immune evasion. Additionally, this study intends to explore the potential of targeting sialylation as a novel therapeutic approach, providing new perspectives for TC prevention and treatment, as well as the development of new therapeutic agents.