Genetically Predicted 3-Methoxytyrosine Mediates the Causal Association between Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Glioblastoma Multiforme
2025

FGF21 and Its Role in Reducing Glioblastoma Risk

Sample size: 143461 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Chen Xuan, Han Lihui, Xu Wenzhe

Primary Institution: Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

Hypothesis

The effect of inflammation on glioblastoma development might be mediated through specific blood metabolites.

Conclusion

FGF21 was causally associated with a reduced risk of glioblastoma, and this relationship is partially mediated by 3-methoxytyrosine.

Supporting Evidence

  • Three inflammatory factors showed significant associations with glioblastoma.
  • FGF21 had a protective effect against glioblastoma.
  • 3-methoxytyrosine was identified as a significant mediator in the relationship between FGF21 and glioblastoma.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called FGF21 can help lower the risk of a serious brain cancer called glioblastoma, and it does this partly by affecting a substance in the blood called 3-methoxytyrosine.

Methodology

A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization approach was used to investigate causal associations between inflammatory factors and glioblastoma, followed by mediation analysis.

Potential Biases

Potential unmeasured confounding factors may impact findings.

Limitations

The generalizability of findings is limited due to the majority of participants being of European descent, and the study used summary-level statistics rather than individual-level data.

Participant Demographics

Majority of participants were of European descent.

Statistical Information

P-Value

1.00×10-3

Confidence Interval

0.25, 0.71

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.7150/jca.98035

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