The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development

Abstract Background Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are closely linked to immune disorders, yet the causal relationship between them remains incompletely explored. This study investigates the causal associations between 731 immune features and six types of NETs. Method A bidirectional, two-sample Mende...

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Main Authors: Jie Qiao, Yi-Wen Wu, Yuan-You Wang, Jing-Jing Huang, Peng-Fei Shan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02870-z
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author Jie Qiao
Yi-Wen Wu
Yuan-You Wang
Jing-Jing Huang
Peng-Fei Shan
author_facet Jie Qiao
Yi-Wen Wu
Yuan-You Wang
Jing-Jing Huang
Peng-Fei Shan
author_sort Jie Qiao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are closely linked to immune disorders, yet the causal relationship between them remains incompletely explored. This study investigates the causal associations between 731 immune features and six types of NETs. Method A bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis is employed to examine the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and NETs. Publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) genetic data are analyzed to explore causal links between 731 immune cell phenotypes and the risk of six NETs. Results After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, no statistically significant effect of the six NETs on the immunophenotype is observed. However, T cells play a crucial role in the development of gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs). Specifically, SSC-A on CD4+ T cells significantly reduces the likelihood of developing GNETs, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.16 (95% CI=0.084-0.328, P = 2.58×10⁻⁷, FDR = 1.16×10⁻⁴). Terminally differentiated CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells (OR=14.37, 95% CI=3.647-56.587, P =1.39×10⁻⁴, FDR=0.021) and naive CD4+ T cells (OR=5.32, 95% CI=2.513-11.284, P =1.27×10⁻⁵, FDR=0.0029) are associated with an increased risk of GNETs. Conclusions This study elucidates the causal relationship between 731 immune cells and six types of NETs, identifying three immune phenotypes significantly associated with GNETs pathogenesis. These findings provide new perspectives for future medical research.
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spelling doaj-art-feef6d28b5054fd183a9fa9364aba0812025-08-20T03:10:32ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-06-011611910.1007/s12672-025-02870-zThe role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors developmentJie Qiao0Yi-Wen Wu1Yuan-You Wang2Jing-Jing Huang3Peng-Fei Shan4Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineAbstract Background Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are closely linked to immune disorders, yet the causal relationship between them remains incompletely explored. This study investigates the causal associations between 731 immune features and six types of NETs. Method A bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis is employed to examine the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and NETs. Publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) genetic data are analyzed to explore causal links between 731 immune cell phenotypes and the risk of six NETs. Results After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, no statistically significant effect of the six NETs on the immunophenotype is observed. However, T cells play a crucial role in the development of gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs). Specifically, SSC-A on CD4+ T cells significantly reduces the likelihood of developing GNETs, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.16 (95% CI=0.084-0.328, P = 2.58×10⁻⁷, FDR = 1.16×10⁻⁴). Terminally differentiated CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells (OR=14.37, 95% CI=3.647-56.587, P =1.39×10⁻⁴, FDR=0.021) and naive CD4+ T cells (OR=5.32, 95% CI=2.513-11.284, P =1.27×10⁻⁵, FDR=0.0029) are associated with an increased risk of GNETs. Conclusions This study elucidates the causal relationship between 731 immune cells and six types of NETs, identifying three immune phenotypes significantly associated with GNETs pathogenesis. These findings provide new perspectives for future medical research.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02870-zNeuroendocrine tumorsImmunophenotypesCausal relationshipMR analysisSensitivity
spellingShingle Jie Qiao
Yi-Wen Wu
Yuan-You Wang
Jing-Jing Huang
Peng-Fei Shan
The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
Discover Oncology
Neuroendocrine tumors
Immunophenotypes
Causal relationship
MR analysis
Sensitivity
title The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
title_full The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
title_fullStr The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
title_full_unstemmed The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
title_short The role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
title_sort role of immune cells phenotype in neuroendocrine tumors development
topic Neuroendocrine tumors
Immunophenotypes
Causal relationship
MR analysis
Sensitivity
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02870-z
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