Identification of potential biomarkers in cervical cancer with combined public mRNA and miRNA expression microarray data analysis

Cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent malignancy in females worldwide. Early diagnosis is key to improving survival rates. Molecular biomarkers are an important method for diagnosing a number of types of cancer, including cervical cancer. The present study utilized public data from three mRNA microarray datasets and one microRNA dataset to analyze the key genes involved in cervical cancer. The mRNA and microRNA expression profile datasets (GSE9750, GSE46857, GSE67522 and GSE30656) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and microRNAs (DEMs) were screened using the online tool GEO2R. By using the DEGs consistent across the three mRNA datasets, a functional and pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and module analysis performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Validated target genes of the DEMs were identified using the miRecords website. Using the identified target genes of the DEMs, a survival analysis was performed using the OncoLnc online tool. A total of 73 DEGs and 19 DEMs were screened from the microarray expression profile datasets. ‘Integrin-mediated’, ‘proteolysis’ and ‘phosphoinositide 3 kinase-protein kinase 3’ signaling pathways were the most enriched in the DEGs. Three of the DEGs, including Ras homolog family member B (RhoB), stathmin 1 (STMN1) and cyclin D1 (CCNB1) were validated DEM target genes. The OncoLnc survival analysis identified that RhoB was associated with a significantly longer overall survival, whereas STMN1 was associated with a significantly reduced overall survival time in patients with cervical cancer. Finally, data from The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed an association between the mRNA expression levels of RhoB and STMN1, and the overall survival time for patients with cervical cancer. In conclusion, RhoB and STMN1 were identified as key genes that may provide potential targets for cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.