AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates how adult height may influence the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) using a Mendelian randomization approach, focusing on genetic factors.* -
  • Researchers identified 599 genetic markers related to height, finding that a 6.9 cm increase in height, due to genetics, correlates with a 14% increased risk of HNC.* -
  • Additionally, while height appears linked to HNC risk, it may be underestimated because taller individuals show a lower association with tobacco smoking, which is a known risk factor for HNC.*

Article Abstract

With the aim to dissect the effect of adult height on head and neck cancer (HNC), we use the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to test the association between genetic instruments for height and the risk of HNC. 599 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as genetic instruments for height, accounting for 16% of the phenotypic variation. Genetic data concerning HNC cases and controls were obtained from a genome-wide association study. Summary statistics for genetic association were used in complementary MR approaches: the weighted genetic risk score (GRS) and the inverse-variance weighted (IVW). MR-Egger regression was used for sensitivity analysis and pleiotropy evaluation. From the GRS analysis, one standard deviation (SD) higher height (6.9 cm; due to genetic predisposition across 599 SNPs) raised the risk for HNC (Odds ratio (OR), 1.14; 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI), 0.99-1.32). The association analyses with potential confounders revealed that the GRS was associated with tobacco smoking (OR = 0.80, 95% CI (0.69-0.93)). MR-Egger regression did not provide evidence of overall directional pleiotropy. Our study indicates that height is potentially associated with HNC risk. However, the reported risk could be underestimated since, at the genetic level, height emerged to be inversely associated with smoking.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852094PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22626-wDOI Listing

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