HPV-Driven Immune Evasion in Cervical Cancer: Transcriptomic Identification of Downregulated Hub Genes and Suppressed Leukocyte Migration Pathways

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.