Deciphering the causal effects of plasma metabolomics and lipids on breast cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization...

Breast cancer, a complex disease influenced by metabolic and lipid profiles, requires a deeper understanding of causal relationships between dietary preferences, plasma metabolites, and cancer risk. This study employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore causal links between dietary preferences, plasma metabolites, and ER-negative/ER-positive breast cancer risk, alongside underlying mechanisms. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data regarding dietary preferences, plasma metabolites, and plasma lipids were obtained from the GWAS database, with sample sizes of 161,625, 8,299, and 7,174 respectively. Meanwhile, the GWAS data related to breast cancer and its subtypes (ER + breast cancer and ER- breast cancer) were sourced from the IEU Open GWAS project, with sample sizes of 228,951, 175,475, and 127,442 respectively. Reverse MR and mediation analyses were conducted to assess bidirectional relationships and mediating roles of plasma biomarkers. The analysis revealed significant causal effects of dietary preferences and plasma metabolites on breast cancer risk. Mediation analysis identified key pathways: curry preference (β = -0.015, 95% CI [-0.029, -0.001], P = 0.034) reduced breast cancer risk through increased phosphatidylcholine levels, while tomato preference (β = 0.021, 95% CI [0.002, 0.041], P = 0.031) increased risk via the serine to α-tocopherol ratio. Additionally, bitter beer preference (β = -0.012, 95% CI [-0.024, -0.000], P = 0.038) was inversely associated with ER-negative breast cancer risk, mediated by specific metabolites, whereas sweetened tea preference (β = 0.015, 95% CI [0.030, 0.059], P = 0.026) positively correlated with ER-negative risk through distinct plasma biomarkers. These findings underscore the importance of dietary factors and plasma metabolites in modulating breast cancer risk across subtypes. The study highlights potential mediation mechanisms, offering insights into the complex interplay between diet, metabolism, and cancer. These results advance our understanding of breast cancer etiology and may inform personalized prevention and treatment strategies, emphasizing the role of targeted dietary interventions and biomarker-driven approaches.