miR-501 is upregulated in cervical cancer and promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting CYLD

•miR-501 promotes the development and progression of cervical cancer.•miR-501 induces cell proliferation, migration, invasion and inhibits apoptosis.•CYLD is downregulated by miR-501 at post-transcriptional level in cervical cancer.•CYLD suppresses the development and progression of cervical cancer.•miR-501 might be a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer.