A multiomics Mendelian randomization study on PANoptosis-related genes and gastric cancer risk

ObjectiveTo explore the potential involvement of PANoptosis-related genes in gastric cancer susceptibility through multiomics analyses.MethodsSummary-data-based Mendelian randomization was performed by integrating blood-derived methylation, gene expression, and protein quantitative trait loci data with genome-wide association study results. The findings were further evaluated in The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort, followed by protein-protein interaction analysis, drug prediction, and molecular docking.ResultsSummary-data-based Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses identified several traits suggestively associated with gastric cancer risk. Genetically predicted higher expression of apoptosis and caspase activation inhibitor (AVEN) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as well as higher HGF protein levels were associated with increased risk, whereas higher levels of protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B beta (PPP2R2B) appeared to be protective. Multiomics integration suggested epigenetic regulation of HGF and PPP2R2B. The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis corroborated the dysregulation of these candidates, with high AVEN expression associated with poorer survival. Protein-protein interaction and drug prediction analyses highlighted functional networks and potential therapeutics, supported by molecular docking demonstrating strong HGF-binding affinities. However, these associations did not reach statistical significance in the independent validation cohort, possibly due to limited statistical power.ConclusionsThis study identified AVEN, HGF, and PPP2R2B as potential candidate genes for gastric cancer. These findings require further validation in larger cohorts.