Open Access

ARTICLE

Multi-Omics Identification of UBE2C as a Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target Linked to Topotecan Sensitivity in Cervical Cancer

Emmanuel Naveen Raj^1,#, Chia-Jung Li^1,2,3,4,5,#, Shih-Hsuan Cheng¹, Su-Boon Yong^6,7, Zhi-Hong Wen^3,8, An-Jen Chiang^1,9,*

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2 Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
3 National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan
4 Center of General Education, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
5 Center of General Education, Shu-Zen Junior College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
6 Department of Allergy and Immunology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
7 Research Center for Allergy, Immunology, and Microbiome (A.I.M.), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
8 Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
9 Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

* Corresponding Author: An-Jen Chiang. Email:
# These authors contribute equally to this study

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Precision Oncology: Targeted Therapies and Tumor Microenvironment)

Oncology Research 2026, 34(9), 18 https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2026.079551

Received 23 January 2026; Accepted 10 June 2026; Issue published 13 August 2026

Abstract

Objectives: Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) necessitate the discovery of novel biomarkers for prognostic and therapeutic advancement. This study aims to evaluate the clinical significance of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) and its association with the tumor microenvironment (TME) in CESC. Methods: We meticulously sourced CESC data from renowned repositories such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), leveraging cutting-edge techniques including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and pharmacogenomics. Through multifaceted data analysis, we endeavored to unravel the intricate role and potential value of UBE2C in CESC tumorigenesis and progression. Results: Analysis of public datasets confirms UBE2C elevation in CESC tumors, correlating with advanced stages, metastasis, and poor disease-free survival (DFS). Dependency screens and functional enrichment highlight UBE2C’s critical role in cell viability and DNA replication. Notably, multi-omics and spatial transcriptomics reveal a strong link between UBE2C expression and macrophage infiltration (CD63⁺) in tumor regions. Finally, pharmacogenomic profiling and molecular docking identified Topotecan as a potent therapeutic agent with high UBE2C binding affinity. Conclusion: In conclusion, UBE2C expression is associated with cervical cancer progression and correlates with an immunosuppressive macrophage-enriched microenvironment, making it a promising candidate for further investigation in therapeutic intervention.

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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