Micronutrients and risks of three main urologic cancers: A mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Nutritional Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between micronutrients and urologic cancers.
• Causal relationships remain unclear, necessitating advanced analytical approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal effects of key micronutrients on the risk of developing urologic cancers.
• Utilizing a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) approach to assess these associations.

Main Methods:

• Employed TSMR using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for four micronutrients and three urologic cancer outcomes.
• Performed sensitivity analyses with multiple methods to ensure robustness of findings.

Main Results:

• Elevated serum copper and iron levels were causally linked to increased risks of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in both males and females.
• Increased serum zinc levels were associated with decreased risks of RCC.
• A significant association was found between higher serum zinc levels and a slightly increased risk of prostate cancer (PCa).
• No significant causal associations were observed between the studied micronutrients and bladder cancer risk after Bonferroni correction.

Conclusions:

• Micronutrients play a significant role in the etiology of urologic tumors.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and explore clinical applications for prevention and treatment.