Cathepsins and cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
Tingting Deng1, Xixue Lu2, Xuemin Jia2
1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|June 17, 2024
Summary
This study used Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal link between cathepsins and cancer. Cathepsin H (CTSH) was linked to increased lung cancer risk and decreased basal cell carcinoma risk.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a link between cathepsins and cancer.
- A definitive causal relationship remains uncertain.
- This study aims to clarify the role of cathepsins in cancer etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the causal relationship between cathepsins and various cancers.
- To utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis for robust causal inference.
- To identify specific cathepsins associated with cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed.
- Publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were utilized.
- Inverse variance weighting (IVW) served as the primary analytical method.
Main Results:
- Cathepsin H (CTSH) significantly increased lung cancer risk (OR=1.070) and decreased basal cell carcinoma risk (OR=0.947).
- No significant associations were found between the 20 cancers and nine cathepsins.
- Several other cathepsins showed unadjusted associations with various cancers, warranting further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Mendelian randomization analysis supports a causal relationship between cathepsins and cancer.
- Findings provide novel insights for future mechanistic and clinical research into cathepsin-driven cancers.
- This research may inform targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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