Expression of YTHDF1 in cervical cancer tissues and its clinical significance

Objective To investigate the expression of YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) in cervical cancer tissues and explore its clinical significance. Methods Bioinformatics analysis was used to assess the expression of YTHDF1 in cervical cancer tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of YTHDF1 protein in cervical cancer tissues and normal cervical mucosal tissues. The relationship between YTHDF1 protein expression and clinicopathological features of cervical cancer patients was analyzed. The effect of YTHDF1 knockdown on the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells was evaluated using CCK8, Transwell, and would healing assays. Results Compared with normal cervical mucosal tissues, YTHDF1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer tissues. According to immunohistochemical staining, YTHDF1 protein expression significantly increased in cervical cancer tissues, with a high expression rate of 78.8%, which was significantly greater than that in corresponding normal tissues (37.5%) (P<0.05). The expression of YTHDF1 in cervical cancer tissues was correlated with the depth of tumor invasion (P<0.05), rather than patient age, tumor differentiation, vaginal involvement, parametrial involvement, or lymph node metastasis. YTHDF1 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells. Conclusions YTHDF1 is abnormally overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues, which is associated with the depth of tumor invasion, suggesting that YTHDF1 may serve as a potential biomarker for cervical cancer progression.