Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals key candidate genes, signaling pathways and therapeutic molecules in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading malignancy in women worldwide, yet relatively little is known about the genes and signaling pathways associated in ovarian cancer progression and advancement. The present study aimed to elucidate potential key genes and signaling pathways in ovarian cancer. Microarray dataset (GSE120196) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which included data from 10 ovarian cancer samples and 4 normal control samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using limma R bioconductor package. These DEGs were subsequently investigated by Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was performed based on the DEGs. The hub gene-related miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network were constructed. Subsequently, the DrugBank database was utilized to search for alternative drugs targeting ovarian cancer hub genes. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for hub genes. In this work, 38 DEGs, including 19 up regulated genes and 19 down regulated genes, were obtained from microarray data. GO and REACTOME pathway enrichment analyses revealed significant enrichment of these genes in cell adhesion, cell periphery, glycine N-benzoyltransferase activity and extracellular matrix organization. Five up regulated genes, COL1A1, COL1A2, F2R, VCAN and SERPINE2, and five down regulated genes, NR3C2, SELE, CXCL2, MYOM1 and TM4SF1 in the center of the PPI network were associated with ovarian cancer, and these hub genes showed high sensitivity and specificity in ROC curve analysis. Notably, hsa-miR-6515-5p, hsa-miR-6838-5p, FOXL1 and HOXA5 have been identified as promising miRNAs and TFs for regulation of hub gene expression in ovarian cancer. Drug molecules include vorapaxar, halofuginone, progesterone and ibuprofen were predicted for treatment ovarian cancer. This investigation could serve as a basis for further understanding the molecular pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of ovarian cancer.