Identification of phenomic data in the pathogenesis of cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract: A UK biobank data analysis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for a significant incidence and mortality rates of cancers globally. Utilization of a phenomic data approach allows researchers to reveal the mechanisms and molecular pathogenesis of these conditions. We aimed to investigate the correlation between the phenomic features and gastrointestinal cancers in a large cohort study. Methods: We included 502369 subjects aged 37-73 years in the UK Biobank recruited since 2006. Socio-demographic factors, blood chemistry, anthropometric measurements and lifestyle factors of participants collected at baseline assessment were analysed. Unviariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to determine the significant risk factors for the outcomes of interest, based on the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The analysis included a total of 441141 participants, of which 7952 (1.8%) were incident GI cancer cases and 433189 were healthy controls. A marker, cystatin C was associated with total and each gastrointestinal cancer (adjusted OR 2.43; 95% CI 2.23-2.64). Compared to Asians, Whites ethnicity had higher risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers. Several other factors were associated with distinct GI cancers. Conclusion: Cystatin C and ethnicity appear to be important features in GI cancers, suggesting some overlap in the molecular pathogenesis of GI cancers.