Genetically Predicted Immune Cell Traits Mediate the Causal Association Between Plasma Metabolites and Colorectal Cancer
2025

Immune Cell Traits and Plasma Metabolites in Colorectal Cancer

Sample size: 6847 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Zhu Liye, Ning Qiting, Xue Jiang, Huang Shanpei, Chen Xingmei, Qiu Xinze, Chen Ni, Liang Shengmei, Huang Jiean, Liu Shiquan

Primary Institution: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University

Hypothesis

Do immune cell traits mediate the causal relationship between plasma metabolites and colorectal cancer?

Conclusion

The study identifies a causal relationship between plasma metabolites and colorectal cancer, with immune factors playing mediating roles.

Supporting Evidence

  • 49 plasma metabolites were found to have causal associations with colorectal cancer.
  • 36 immune cell traits were identified as causally linked to colorectal cancer.
  • Two immune cell traits were found to mediate the effects of specific plasma metabolites on colorectal cancer risk.

Takeaway

This study found that certain substances in the blood can affect the risk of colorectal cancer by influencing immune cells.

Methodology

The study used a two-step Mendelian randomization approach and single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the relationships between plasma metabolites, immune cell traits, and colorectal cancer.

Potential Biases

Potential heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy may not have been fully assessed.

Limitations

The study's conclusions are limited to European populations, and further validation in other populations is needed.

Participant Demographics

All samples were from Western populations.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.036

Confidence Interval

[95% CI [-0.023, 0.054]]

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.7150/jca.101011

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication