MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) play essential roles in the initiation and progression of human tumors, including cervical cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying their actions in cervical cancer remain unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the functional role of miR‑130a‑3p in cervical cancer. Cervical cancer cells were transfected with a miRNA inhibitor (anti‑miR‑130a‑3p) and a negative control. Adhesion‑independent cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated. The findings presented herein demonstrated that miR‑130a‑3p was overexpressed in HeLa, SiHa, CaSki, C‑4I and HCB‑514 cervical cancer cells. The inhibition of miR‑130a‑3p significantly reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. The canonical delta‑like Notch1 ligand (DLL1) was identified as a possible direct target of miR‑103a‑3p. The DLL1 gene was further found to be significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that miR‑130a‑3p contributes to the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Therefore, miR‑130a‑3p may be used as a biomarker to determine cervical cancer progression.
Keywords: biomarker; cervical cancer; microRNA‑130a‑3p; tumor progression.