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Abstract
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Cervical cancer progression, particularly in the context of HPV infection, is driven by
complex transcriptional alterations within the tumor microenvironment. Understanding
the molecular mechanisms underlying HPV-induced immune evasion is crucial for developing
effective therapeutic strategies. Transcriptomic analyses were performed using three
independent datasets (GSE127265, GSE166466, and GSE218460) to identify differentially
expressed genes (DEGs) between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical cancer samples.
Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape and STRING, and
immune infiltration was assessed via the TIMER database. A total of 572 DEGs were commonly
identified between tumor and normal tissues, with HPV-positive samples showing
distinct transcriptional profiles. Several downregulated hub genes were associated with
immune regulation and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Immune infiltration analysis
revealed altered dendritic cell and T cell patterns, indicating HPV-mediated immune modulation.
Pathway enrichment identified the leukocyte transendothelial migration pathway
as a key mechanism impaired by HPV infection. These findings highlight the critical role of
immune-related hub genes in HPV-driven cervical cancer progression and suggest potential
therapeutic targets to counteract HPV-induced immune suppression.
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