Association between opioids use and risk of multiple cancers: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Observational studies have explored the association between opiate use and cancer risk.
• Existing evidence remains inconclusive regarding a definitive link between opioid use and specific cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between opioid use and the risk of developing various cancers.
• To leverage Mendelian randomization to assess causality, overcoming limitations of observational studies.

Main Methods:

• A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study design was employed.
• Instrumental single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with opioid use were identified through rigorous quality control.
• The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used to evaluate the association, complemented by various sensitivity analyses (e.g., MR-Egger, weighted median).

Main Results:

• A statistically significant positive causal relationship was found between opioid use and lung cancer (OR=1.001, P=0.041).
• Opioid use was also causally linked to an increased risk of kidney cancer (OR=1.002, P=0.001).
• No significant causal relationship was identified between opioid use and other cancer types after correction.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a potential causal role of opioid use in the development of lung and kidney cancers.
• The study highlights the utility of MR in exploring etiological pathways for cancer development.
• No evidence supports a causal link between opioid use and other investigated cancer types.