Identification of a Microbial-Related Gene Signature Indicative of Disease Prognosis in Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer(CC) is the fourth most common female malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. There is an urgent need to study the underlying mechanisms of the malignant biological behavior of CC, identify new prognostic markers, and develop individualized treatment strategies to improve the survival rate of patients with CC. Much research in recent years suggested that cervical cancer was directly linked to the makeup of the vaginal microbiota and HPV infection. Firstly, we examined the relationship between microbes and the transcriptome in the development of CC. Secondly, we compared and contrasted the microbiota of cancer patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (CESC) to determine their similarities and differences. Thirdly, we used correlation analysis to verify the correlation between key genes and microbes and construct a prognostic model. Finally, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted to reveal potential mechanisms and verified the accuracy by GSE4001.We found that Achromobacter, Natronomonas, and Nafulsella were identified in early and late CC patients. In addition, 16 microbial-related genes were obtained by correlation analysis. The results showed that SALL3 and GABRP had a significant correlation between the three microbes and affect overall survival in CC. The prognostic model constructed by key genes was verified accurately.Achromobacter, Natronomonas, and Nafulsella may play an important role in CC progression. Besides, SALL3 and GABRP may influence oxygen transport and metabolic pathways, which affect tumor outcome and prognosis. We hope our study could provide a theoretical reference for further research on the mechanism of the microbial influence on transcriptome genes in the progression of CC.