KIF18B promotes tumor progression through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in cervical cancer

BACKGROUND: KIF18B was identified as a potential oncogene by analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed KIF18B expression and explored its clinical significance in cervical cancer tissues. We have also evaluated the effects of KIF18B on cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Our results show that KIF18B is overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues and is associated with a large primary tumor size, an advanced FIGO stage, and an advanced tumor grade. Knockdown of KIF18B induces cell cycle G1-phase arrest and inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells, whereas its overexpression promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion in these cells. Moreover, silencing of KIF18B reduces expression of CyclinD1, β-catenin, C-myc, and p-GSK3β expression. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that KIF18B can serve as a novel oncogene that promotes the tumorigenicity of cervical cancer cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.