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RETRACTED: Identification of potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer using Mendelian randomization analysis
Zhulan Huang1, Hongping Zheng1, Haiyu Wang2
1Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City, Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract:
Breast cancer stands as the foremost cause of cancer-related mortality among women, presenting a substantial economic impact on society. The limitations in current therapeutic options, coupled with poor patient tolerance, underscore the urgent need for novel treatments. Our study embarked on a genomic association exploration of breast cancer, leveraging whole-genome sequencing data from the Finngen database, complemented by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) insights from the eQTLGen and GTEx Consortiums. An initial investigation was conducted through summary-based Mendelian randomization (MR) to pinpoint primary eQTLs. Analysis of blood specimens revealed 103 eQTLs significantly correlated with breast cancer. Focusing our efforts, we identified 19 candidates with potential therapeutic significance. Further scrutiny via two-sample MR pinpointed UROD, LMO4, HORMAD1, and ZSWIM5 as promising targets for breast cancer therapy. Our research sheds light on new avenues for the treatment of breast cancer, highlighting the potential of genomic association studies in uncovering viable therapeutic targets.
Insights
This study explored genomic associations to find new breast cancer treatments. Researchers identified four promising therapeutic targets: UROD, LMO4, HORMAD1, and ZSWIM5, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Oncology
- Pharmacogenomics
Background:
- Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in women, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies due to current treatment limitations and poor patient tolerance.
- Genomic association studies offer a promising avenue for identifying new therapeutic targets and understanding disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a genomic association exploration for breast cancer.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment using advanced genetic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized whole-genome sequencing data from the Finngen database.
- Integrated expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from eQTLGen and GTEx Consortiums.
- Employed summary-based and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to identify significant eQTLs and therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Identified 103 eQTLs significantly correlated with breast cancer from blood specimen analysis.
- Filtered down to 19 candidate genes with potential therapeutic significance.
- Pinpointed UROD, LMO4, HORMAD1, and ZSWIM5 as promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Genomic association studies can effectively uncover viable therapeutic targets for breast cancer.
- UROD, LMO4, HORMAD1, and ZSWIM5 represent novel targets for future breast cancer therapies.
- This research opens new avenues for developing more effective breast cancer treatments.
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