ArticleDiscover oncology2025
Causal impact of air pollution on head and neck cancer: a Mendelian randomization study.
Article in Discover oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundExposure to air pollutants is a significant global health concern linked to numerous diseases. However, the causal role of air pollution in the development of head and neck cancer (HNC) remains uncertain.
methodsTo investigate this relationship, we employed two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR), MRlap, and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analyses using publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. Additionally, we explored potential mediating proteins and underlying biological mechanisms.
resultsOur findings revealed a significant causal association between nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure and increased risk of HNC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.008, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.016, P = 0.036), as well as between nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and HNC (OR = 1.010, 95% CI: 1.003-1.018, P = 0.005). Specifically, NOₓ exposure was causally linked to oral and oropharyngeal cancers (OR = 1.009, 95% CI: 1.003-1.016, P = 0.007). These associations were supported by sensitivity analyses, pleiotropy assessments, MRlap, and MVMR approaches. Furthermore, sushi domain-containing protein 2 (SUSD2) and bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) were identified as potential mediators, and protein methylation was identified as a plausible underlying mechanism linking air pollutant exposure with HNC.
conclusionExposure to NO₂ and NO
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