Identification of anoikis-related genes signature to predict the prognosis in cervical cancer

Abstract

Abstract Anoikis is a special programmed cell death mode, and resistance to anoikis is a prerequisite for malignant tumors to acquire invasion and metastasis characteristics. The expression and impact of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in cervical cancer (CC) are still unknown. The aim of this study is to reveal the prognostic role of ARGs in survival, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity of CC patients, and to identify potential clinical treatment targets. RNA seq and clinical data of CC patients were downloaded from the TCGA database and GEO database, and gene copy data was downloaded from UCSC. Bioinformatics methods was used to screen differentially expressed ARGs related to prognosis, and conducting data analysis using R software package and Perl software. TISCH database was used to analyze the expression of ARGs in tumor microenvironment (TME) at the single cell level. MMP3 on chromosome 11 is highly expressed in CC tissue and may be a key gene for CC progression. The significant activation of the cycline-cycline receptor interaction, ECM-receptor interaction, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and focal adhesion pathway may be associated with poor prognosis in CC patients. The decrease in CD8 + T cells and the increase in M0 macrophages may indicate a high-risk prognosis for patients. Bcl-2 inhibitor (ABT-737), axitinib, dihydrorotenone, sorafenib, venetoclax, and nilotinib are optional drugs for early treatment of CC. In the future, ARGs based miRNAs, small molecule drugs/inhibitors, peptide/protein specific therapies, and specific antibodies may be developed for early diagnosis and clinical treatment of CC.