Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis of associations between periodontal disease and risk of colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers

Abstract

AbstractObservational studies indicate that periodontal disease may increase the risk of colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers. We tested these associations using two-sample Mendelian randomization to emulate a randomized study with observational data. We developed an instrument including single nucleotide polymorphisms with strong genome-wide association study evidence for associations with aggressive and/or advanced periodontal disease. We used this instrument to assess associations with summary-level genetic data for colorectal cancer (n=58,131 cases), lung cancer (n=18,082 cases), and pancreatic cancer (n=9254 cases). The genetic predisposition index for periodontitis was significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (p=0.026), colon cancer (p=0.021), proximal colon cancer (p=0.013), and colorectal cancer among females (p=0.039); however, it was not significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, overall or within most subgroups. Further research should determine whether increased periodontitis prevention and increased cancer surveillance of patients with periodontitis is warranted.