Abstract
Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is influenced by lipids and inflammatory factors. This study explores the causal relationship between 179 lipids, 91 inflammatory factors, and HNC using Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis. Method: GWAS datasets for lipids and inflammatory markers were combined with HNC data from the FinnGen Biobank. TSMR and MVMR analyses with multiple sensitivity methods were performed to validate results. Mediator analysis identified inflammatory factors as intermediaries in lipid-HNC pathways. Results: Eight lipids were causally associated with HNC. Two distinct pathways were identified: inflammatory markers CD244, FLT3LG, and NT-3 mediated the relationship between lipids (e.g., sterol esters, phosphatidylcholines) and HNC. Conclusion: This study identifies lipids and inflammatory markers as key mediators of HNC development, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for future research.
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