Circulating Lipocalin 2 and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Robin Reichmann, Katharina Nimptsch, Tobias Pischon, Marc J. Gunter, Mazda Jenab, Anne Kirstine Eriksen, Anne Tjønneland, Jürgen Janke, Verena Katzke, Rudolf Kaaks, Matthias B. Schulze, Fabian Eichelmann, Giovanna Masala, Sabina Sieri, Fabrizio Pasanisi, Rosario Tumino, Maria Teresa Giraudo, Joseph Rothwell, Gianluca Severi, Paula Jakszyn, Maria-Jose Sánchez, Pilar Amiano, Sandra M. Colorado-Yohar, Marcela Guevara, Bethany van Guelpen, Elom K. Aglago, Alicia K. Heath, Karl Smith-Byrne, Elisabete Weiderpass, Krasimira Aleksandrova
Primary Institution: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology
Hypothesis
Is there an association between pre-diagnostic circulating lipocalin 2 concentrations and incident colorectal cancer?
Conclusion
Higher pre-diagnostic concentrations of lipocalin 2 are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, especially in women and those with abdominal adiposity.
Supporting Evidence
- LCN2 concentrations were positively associated with higher waist circumference and physical inactivity.
- The association between LCN2 and colon cancer was stronger in women than in men.
- Participants with high waist circumference showed a positive association with colon cancer risk.
Takeaway
This study found that a protein called lipocalin 2 in the blood can help predict the risk of getting colon cancer, particularly in women and people with extra belly fat.
Methodology
A nested case-control study within the EPIC cohort, measuring lipocalin 2 in 1267 colorectal cancer cases and 1267 matched controls.
Potential Biases
Potential reverse causality as some cases may have had undiagnosed cancer at recruitment.
Limitations
Data on several covariates were incomplete, and the study relied on single measurements of lipocalin 2.
Participant Demographics
Participants aged 25-70 years from 10 European countries, with a balanced gender distribution.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.16 [0.98–1.37] for CRC overall
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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