The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background High abundance of eosinophils has been proved to associated with favorable disease progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the previous observational studies, but the causal relationship remains unclear. It is also unclear whether white blood cell (WBC) counts are es...

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Main Authors: Xiao Yang, Wenyi Liu, Jiaqi Wang, Weifeng Xia, Lanxiang Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03377-3
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author Xiao Yang
Wenyi Liu
Jiaqi Wang
Weifeng Xia
Lanxiang Wu
author_facet Xiao Yang
Wenyi Liu
Jiaqi Wang
Weifeng Xia
Lanxiang Wu
author_sort Xiao Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background High abundance of eosinophils has been proved to associated with favorable disease progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the previous observational studies, but the causal relationship remains unclear. It is also unclear whether white blood cell (WBC) counts are essential for the risk of NSCLC. Methods Using multiple methods of Mendelian randomization (MR), we assessed the causality of WBC count, particularly basophil, eosinophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts on the risk of NSCLC, which includes squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Single cell RNA-sequencing and RNA-sequencing analysis illustrate the underline mechanism of the causality and its biological effects. Results Univariable MR analysis indicated the protective effect of elevated eosinophil counts on NSCLC and adenocarcinoma subtype. The protective effect of eosinophils persisted even after adjusting. The protective functions mainly effected by immune activating, and it contribute to better survival and favorable response to immune therapy. Univariate MR analysis also states the risk role of neutrophil. Sequencing based analysis proved the immune inhibit functions of neutrophil, which lead to worse survival and immune treatment response. Conclusion Our study indicated a correlation between circulating eosinophil counts, neutrophil counts, and the development of NSCLC. And sequencing analysis confirm this relationship and illustrated the underline mechanism.
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spelling doaj-art-45f04135a4324638bcb5921586aa06262025-08-20T03:46:09ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-08-0116111310.1007/s12672-025-03377-3The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancerXiao Yang0Wenyi Liu1Jiaqi Wang2Weifeng Xia3Lanxiang Wu4Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical UniversityLaboratory of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical UniversityLaboratory of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical UniversityLaboratory of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical UniversityLaboratory of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical UniversityAbstract Background High abundance of eosinophils has been proved to associated with favorable disease progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the previous observational studies, but the causal relationship remains unclear. It is also unclear whether white blood cell (WBC) counts are essential for the risk of NSCLC. Methods Using multiple methods of Mendelian randomization (MR), we assessed the causality of WBC count, particularly basophil, eosinophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts on the risk of NSCLC, which includes squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Single cell RNA-sequencing and RNA-sequencing analysis illustrate the underline mechanism of the causality and its biological effects. Results Univariable MR analysis indicated the protective effect of elevated eosinophil counts on NSCLC and adenocarcinoma subtype. The protective effect of eosinophils persisted even after adjusting. The protective functions mainly effected by immune activating, and it contribute to better survival and favorable response to immune therapy. Univariate MR analysis also states the risk role of neutrophil. Sequencing based analysis proved the immune inhibit functions of neutrophil, which lead to worse survival and immune treatment response. Conclusion Our study indicated a correlation between circulating eosinophil counts, neutrophil counts, and the development of NSCLC. And sequencing analysis confirm this relationship and illustrated the underline mechanism.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03377-3NSCLCWBCMendelian randomizationEosinophilsSingle-cell RNA sequencing
spellingShingle Xiao Yang
Wenyi Liu
Jiaqi Wang
Weifeng Xia
Lanxiang Wu
The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer
Discover Oncology
NSCLC
WBC
Mendelian randomization
Eosinophils
Single-cell RNA sequencing
title The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer
title_full The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer
title_fullStr The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer
title_full_unstemmed The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer
title_short The association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non-small cell lung cancer
title_sort association between white blood cell count and relative risk of non small cell lung cancer
topic NSCLC
WBC
Mendelian randomization
Eosinophils
Single-cell RNA sequencing
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03377-3
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