Abstract
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.