Bioinformatics analysis shows that TOP2A functions as a key candidate gene in the progression of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer affecting females worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of CC remains to be elucidated. Taking the high incidence and mortality rates amongst women into consideration, the identification of novel biomarkers to prevent CC is of great significance and required to improve diagnosis. Using three raw microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, 188 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Gene Ontology and pathway analyses were performed on the DEGs. Through protein-protein interaction network construction and module analysis, eight hub genes [cell division cycle 6, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cell division control protein 45, budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1 (BUB1), DNA topoisomerase II α (TOP2A) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 4, CCNB2 and CCNB1] were identified, but only TOP2A was considered a prognostic factor in survival analysis. There were strong positive correlations between TOP2A and BUB1 (P<0.0001, rs=0.635), CDK1 (P<0.0001, rs=0.511), centromere protein F (CENPF) (P<0.0001, rs=0.677), Rac GTPase activating protein 1 (RACGAP1) (P<0.0001, rs=0.612), F-box protein 5 (FBXO5) (P<0.0001, rs=0.585) and BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B (BUB1B) (P<0.0001, rs=0.584). Additionally, BUB1, CDK1, CENPF, RACGAP1, FBXO5 and BUB1B are all potentially suitable candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of CC. In conclusion, the present study identified TOP2A as a potential tumor oncogene and a biomarker for the prognosis of CC.