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Causal association of peripheral immune cell counts with risk of prostate cancer: insights from bidirectional
Xiaolu Ren1,2, Li Zhang3, Kehua Wang4
1Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
Objectives:
This study aimed to examine the causal relationships between peripheral immune cell counts and prostate cancer, adhering to Mendelian Randomization reporting guidelines for transparency and reproducibility.
Methods:
In this study, bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, which includes MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and inverse variance weighted (IVW) approaches, was utilized to evaluate the bidirectional causal relationship between peripheral immune cell counts and the risk of PCa.
Results:
The primary analysis using the IVW method suggests a potential causal association between basophil counts and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.111 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.011-1.222 (P = 0.028). Conversely, non-causal associations have been observed between other peripheral immune cell types, such as white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, or monocytes, and the incidence of PCa (P values > 0.05). Furthermore, although reverse analysis indicated a causal link between PCa and the counts of leukocytes and neutrophils (OR = 1.013; 95% CI = 1.002-1.225; P = 0.018 and OR = 1.013; 95% CI = 1.002-1.025; P = 0.019), no causal association was detected between PCa and basophil count (P value > 0.050).
Conclusion:
This study suggests a potential bidirectional link between peripheral immune cells and prostate cancer, but inconsistencies in Mendelian Randomization methods mean these findings are preliminary and require further investigation.
Insights
This study explored immune cell links to prostate cancer using Mendelian Randomization. Results suggest a potential causal link between basophil counts and prostate cancer risk, though further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Genetic Epidemiology
Background:
- Peripheral immune cell counts are implicated in various cancers.
- Understanding the causal relationship between immune cells and prostate cancer (PCa) is crucial for risk assessment and treatment.
- Mendelian Randomization (MR) offers a robust method to investigate such causal links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional causal relationships between peripheral immune cell counts and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa).
- To apply rigorous Mendelian Randomization (MR) methods for transparent and reproducible genetic association analysis.
- To identify specific immune cell types that may causally influence PCa development or progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Employed multiple MR methods including MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and inverse variance weighted (IVW).
- Adhered to Mendelian Randomization reporting guidelines.
Main Results:
- The primary analysis (IVW) indicated a potential causal association between higher basophil counts and increased prostate cancer risk (OR = 1.111, P = 0.028).
- No significant causal associations were found between other immune cell types (white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes) and PCa risk.
- Reverse MR analysis suggested a causal link between PCa and leukocyte/neutrophil counts, but not basophil count.
Conclusions:
- A potential bidirectional relationship exists between peripheral immune cells and prostate cancer.
- The observed association between basophil counts and PCa risk warrants further investigation.
- Discrepancies across MR methods highlight the preliminary nature of these findings and the need for replication.
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