Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Background The intake of micronutrients is linked to cancer risk, but their specific mechanisms in skin cancer remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the causal effects of 15 micronutrients on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and malignant melanoma (MM) using Mendelian Random...

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Main Authors: Wangcheng Chen, Lili Pang, Xiuzhen Wei, Yuemei Lan, Xiayi Su, Yaling Dong, Zhibo Zhu, Jie Bai, Jiayan Zhou, Heteng Cui, Baihong Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:World Journal of Surgical Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-025-03814-1
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author Wangcheng Chen
Lili Pang
Xiuzhen Wei
Yuemei Lan
Xiayi Su
Yaling Dong
Zhibo Zhu
Jie Bai
Jiayan Zhou
Heteng Cui
Baihong Zhang
author_facet Wangcheng Chen
Lili Pang
Xiuzhen Wei
Yuemei Lan
Xiayi Su
Yaling Dong
Zhibo Zhu
Jie Bai
Jiayan Zhou
Heteng Cui
Baihong Zhang
author_sort Wangcheng Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The intake of micronutrients is linked to cancer risk, but their specific mechanisms in skin cancer remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the causal effects of 15 micronutrients on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and malignant melanoma (MM) using Mendelian Randomization (MR). Methods Genetically predicted levels of 15 micronutrients served as instrumental variables in a two-sample MR analysis, utilizing data from the Finnish FinnGen database (version R10). To address potential horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses included inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR Egger regression, and MR PRESSO. The study analyzed data from 650,657 European participants, including 19,077 NMSC and 3,194 MM cases. Results Selenium (p = 0.0001, OR 0.788, 95% CI 0.703–0.883) and Potassium (p = 0.045, OR 0.463, 95% CI 0.219–0.982) were significantly negatively associated with MM risk, suggesting a protective effect. Conversely, Calcium (p = 0.025, OR 1.257, 95% CI 1.030–1.534) was positively associated with NMSC risk, indicating it may be a risk factor. Vitamin B6 (p = 0.004, OR 0.741, 95% CI 0.604–0.909) also showed a significant protective effect against NMSC.The remaining 11 micronutrients showed no significant causal association with NMSC or MM (p > 0.05). Conclusions This study highlights that Selenium and Potassium may protect against MM, while Calcium increases NMSC risk, with Vitamin B6 providing protection against NMSC. These findings enhance our understanding of micronutrients in skin cancer mechanisms and inform potential prevention strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-ece021f339be4aa29bc02776a1e023352025-08-20T01:51:30ZengBMCWorld Journal of Surgical Oncology1477-78192025-05-012311910.1186/s12957-025-03814-1Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization studyWangcheng Chen0Lili Pang1Xiuzhen Wei2Yuemei Lan3Xiayi Su4Yaling Dong5Zhibo Zhu6Jie Bai7Jiayan Zhou8Heteng Cui9Baihong Zhang10Department of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyOncology, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine First School of Clinical MedicalOncology, Northwest Minzu University College of MedicineDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Oncology, the 940Th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyAbstract Background The intake of micronutrients is linked to cancer risk, but their specific mechanisms in skin cancer remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the causal effects of 15 micronutrients on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and malignant melanoma (MM) using Mendelian Randomization (MR). Methods Genetically predicted levels of 15 micronutrients served as instrumental variables in a two-sample MR analysis, utilizing data from the Finnish FinnGen database (version R10). To address potential horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses included inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR Egger regression, and MR PRESSO. The study analyzed data from 650,657 European participants, including 19,077 NMSC and 3,194 MM cases. Results Selenium (p = 0.0001, OR 0.788, 95% CI 0.703–0.883) and Potassium (p = 0.045, OR 0.463, 95% CI 0.219–0.982) were significantly negatively associated with MM risk, suggesting a protective effect. Conversely, Calcium (p = 0.025, OR 1.257, 95% CI 1.030–1.534) was positively associated with NMSC risk, indicating it may be a risk factor. Vitamin B6 (p = 0.004, OR 0.741, 95% CI 0.604–0.909) also showed a significant protective effect against NMSC.The remaining 11 micronutrients showed no significant causal association with NMSC or MM (p > 0.05). Conclusions This study highlights that Selenium and Potassium may protect against MM, while Calcium increases NMSC risk, with Vitamin B6 providing protection against NMSC. These findings enhance our understanding of micronutrients in skin cancer mechanisms and inform potential prevention strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-025-03814-1Mendelian RandomizationSkin cancerMicronutrientsNon-melanoma skin cancerMalignant melanoma
spellingShingle Wangcheng Chen
Lili Pang
Xiuzhen Wei
Yuemei Lan
Xiayi Su
Yaling Dong
Zhibo Zhu
Jie Bai
Jiayan Zhou
Heteng Cui
Baihong Zhang
Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Mendelian Randomization
Skin cancer
Micronutrients
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Malignant melanoma
title Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
title_full Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
title_fullStr Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
title_full_unstemmed Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
title_short Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study
title_sort micronutrients and skin cancer risk a mendelian randomization study
topic Mendelian Randomization
Skin cancer
Micronutrients
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Malignant melanoma
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-025-03814-1
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