Assessing the causal relationships between circulating metabolic biomarkers and breast cancer by using mendelian randomization
2024

Link Between Metabolic Biomarkers and Breast Cancer

Sample size: 136016 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Wang Bowen, Ling Yue, Zhang Hui, Yang Ming

Primary Institution: First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China

Hypothesis

This study aims to investigate the genetic relationship between metabolites and breast cancer using Mendelian randomization analysis.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates a genetic causal relationship between most metabolites and breast cancer, confirming the link between these factors.

Supporting Evidence

  • 59 biomarkers demonstrated significant causal relationships with breast cancer.
  • 60 biomarkers were found to have a causal association with ER + breast cancer.
  • 30 biomarkers demonstrated a causal link with ER- breast cancer.

Takeaway

Scientists looked at how certain substances in the blood might cause breast cancer, and they found that many of these substances are connected to the disease.

Methodology

The study used Mendelian randomization analysis with data from genome-wide association studies to assess the causal relationship between 233 metabolites and breast cancer.

Potential Biases

Potential horizontal pleiotropy where genetic variants might influence multiple traits through unrelated pathways.

Limitations

The study's findings may not be generalizable to different populations due to variations in genetic background and lifestyle factors.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 136,016 individuals from various cohorts, with breast cancer data sourced from 122,977 cases and 105,974 controls of European ancestry.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 0.837–0.970

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fgene.2024.1448748

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