Construction of a ferroptosis and hypoxia-related gene signature in cervical cancer to assess tumour immune microenvironment and predict prognosis

Abstract

Background This study aimed to investigate the potential role of ferroptosis/hypoxia-related genes in cervical cancer to improve early management and treatment of cervical cancer. Methods All data were downloaded from public databases. Ferroptosis/hypoxia-related genes associated with cervical cancer prognosis were selected to construct a risk score model. The relationship between risk score and clinical features, immune microenvironment and prognosis were analysed. Results Risk score model was constructed based on eight signature genes. Drug prediction analysis showed that bevacizumab and cisplatin were related to vascular endothelial growth factor A. Risk score, as an independent prognostic factor of cervical cancer, had a good survival prediction effect. The two groups differed significantly in degree of immune cell infiltration, gene expression, tumour mutation burden and somatic variation. Conclusions We developed a novel prognostic gene signature combining ferroptosis/hypoxia-related genes, which provides new ideas for individual treatment of cervical cancer.