Exploring the causal relationship between the immune cell-inflammatory factor axis and lung cancer: a Mendelian...

Lung cancer is a major health burden globally and smoking is a well-known risk factor. It has been observed that chronic inflammation contributes to lung cancer progression, with immune cells and inflammatory cytokines implicated in tumor development. Clarifying the causal links between these immune components and lung cancer could enhance prevention and therapy.

We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore causal connections between immune cells, inflammatory markers, and lung cancer risk, using genetic variants as instruments. Data from GWAS on these variables underpinned our MR analyses.

Our findings indicated an inverse association between some immune cells and lung cancer risk, implying that more immune cells might be protective. NK T cells (CD16-CD56) and myeloid cells (HLA DR+ on CD33dim HLA DR+ CD11b+) had an inverse correlation with lung cancer risk. Furthermore, a direct relationship was observed between inflammatory cytokines and these immune cells. In contrast, IL-18 was inversely associated with lung cancer, while IL-13 showed a direct correlation.

The study underscores the role of immune and inflammatory factors in lung cancer. These insights could lead to new therapeutic strategies for combating lung cancer.