Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms
Abstract Background Platelets (PLT) play a crucial role in tumor progression, including tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion. However, the relationship between PLT count and specific skin cancer subtypes, particularly melanoma skin cancer (MSC) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), remains po...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Discover Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02122-0 |
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| author | Chao Guo Jiaqin Deng Tianhua Wen Jinzhou Li Peilin Zeng Chao Liang |
| author_facet | Chao Guo Jiaqin Deng Tianhua Wen Jinzhou Li Peilin Zeng Chao Liang |
| author_sort | Chao Guo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Platelets (PLT) play a crucial role in tumor progression, including tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion. However, the relationship between PLT count and specific skin cancer subtypes, particularly melanoma skin cancer (MSC) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), remains poorly understood. Clarifying this association could identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for personalized treatments. Methods We applied bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between PLT count and skin cancer risk, focusing on MSC and NMSC. Genetic variants associated with PLT and skin cancer served as instrumental variables for causal inference. Nine MR analysis methods, with inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method, were used to assess robustness, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy. Results Forward MR analysis showed no significant relationship between PLT count and overall skin cancer or NMSC. However, elevated PLT was linked to an 18.6% increased risk of MSC. Reverse MR analysis revealed that skin cancer, particularly NMSC, negatively affected PLT count, while MSC was associated with a positive influence on PLT levels. No significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy was detected. Conclusions Our findings reveal a bidirectional, subtype-specific relationship between PLT and skin cancer. Elevated PLT levels specifically increase the risk of MSC, while MSC influences PLT count positively. In contrast, NMSC is associated with lower PLT levels. These results suggest that PLT could serve as both a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target, particularly for MSC. Further research is needed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations and to investigate the role of PLT in overcoming tumor resistance to therapies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-acc72ca10381407ca4576dff2e775a7c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2730-6011 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-acc72ca10381407ca4576dff2e775a7c2025-08-20T02:41:32ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-03-0116111010.1007/s12672-025-02122-0Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanismsChao Guo0Jiaqin Deng1Tianhua Wen2Jinzhou Li3Peilin Zeng4Chao Liang5Department of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou Academy of Medical SciencesDepartment of Thyroid Surgery, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou Academy of Medical SciencesDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou Academy of Medical SciencesDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou Academy of Medical SciencesDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou Academy of Medical SciencesDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou Academy of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Platelets (PLT) play a crucial role in tumor progression, including tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion. However, the relationship between PLT count and specific skin cancer subtypes, particularly melanoma skin cancer (MSC) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), remains poorly understood. Clarifying this association could identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for personalized treatments. Methods We applied bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between PLT count and skin cancer risk, focusing on MSC and NMSC. Genetic variants associated with PLT and skin cancer served as instrumental variables for causal inference. Nine MR analysis methods, with inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method, were used to assess robustness, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy. Results Forward MR analysis showed no significant relationship between PLT count and overall skin cancer or NMSC. However, elevated PLT was linked to an 18.6% increased risk of MSC. Reverse MR analysis revealed that skin cancer, particularly NMSC, negatively affected PLT count, while MSC was associated with a positive influence on PLT levels. No significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy was detected. Conclusions Our findings reveal a bidirectional, subtype-specific relationship between PLT and skin cancer. Elevated PLT levels specifically increase the risk of MSC, while MSC influences PLT count positively. In contrast, NMSC is associated with lower PLT levels. These results suggest that PLT could serve as both a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target, particularly for MSC. Further research is needed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations and to investigate the role of PLT in overcoming tumor resistance to therapies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02122-0Platelet count (PLT)Skin cancerMelanoma skin cancer (MSC)Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)Mendelian randomization (MR) |
| spellingShingle | Chao Guo Jiaqin Deng Tianhua Wen Jinzhou Li Peilin Zeng Chao Liang Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms Discover Oncology Platelet count (PLT) Skin cancer Melanoma skin cancer (MSC) Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) Mendelian randomization (MR) |
| title | Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms |
| title_full | Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms |
| title_fullStr | Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms |
| title_short | Bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer: tumor drug resistance mechanisms |
| title_sort | bidirectional relationship between platelet count and skin cancer tumor drug resistance mechanisms |
| topic | Platelet count (PLT) Skin cancer Melanoma skin cancer (MSC) Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) Mendelian randomization (MR) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02122-0 |
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