Reassessing the link between adiposity and head and neck cancer: a Mendelian randomization study

Adiposity has been associated with an increased risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). Although body mass index (BMI) has been inversely associated with HNC risk among smokers, this is likely due to confounding. Previous Mendelian randomization (MR) studies could not fully discount causality between adiposity and HNC. Hence, we aimed to revisit this using the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of HNC available, which has more granular data on HNC subsites.

We assessed the genetically predicted effects of BMI (N=806,834), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; N=697,734) and waist circumference (N=462,166) on the risk of HNC (N=12,264 cases) and its subsites using a two-sample MR framework. We used inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR and multiple sensitivity analyses, including multivariable MR (MVMR), to explore the direct effects of the adiposity measures on HNC, while accounting for smoking behaviour (a well-known HNC risk factor).

In univariable MR, higher genetically predicted BMI increased the risk of overall HNC (IVW OR = 1.17 per 1-SD higher BMI, 95% CI 1.02-1.34). However, the IVW effect was attenuated when smoking was included in the MVMR model (OR accounting for comprehensive smoking index = 0.96 per 1-SD higher BMI, 95% CI 0.80-1.15). Furthermore, we did not find a link between genetically predicted WHR (IVW OR = 1.05 per 1-SD higher WHR, 95% CI 0.89-1.24) or waist circumference and HNC risk (IVW OR = 1.01 per 1-SD higher waist circumference, 95% CI 0.85-1.21).

Our findings suggest that adiposity does not play a major role in HNC risk.

FMB was supported by a Wellcome Trust PhD studentship in Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology (224982/Z/22/Z). RCR was supported by a Cancer Research UK grant (C18281/A29019). MCB is supported by a University of Bristol Vice Chancellor's Fellowship, the British Heart Foundation (AA/18/1/34219) and the UK Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00032/5). GDS works within the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, which is supported by the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00032/1). CLR was supported by the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00011/5) and by a Cancer Research UK (C18281/A29019) programme grant (the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme). SV was funded by an EU Horizon 2020 grant (agreement number 825771) and NIDCR National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Health (R03DE030257). JK works in a unit that receives support from the University of Bristol, a Cancer Research UK grant (C18281/A29019) and the UK Medical Research Council (grant number: MC_UU_00032/7).