Genetically predicted vitamins supplementation and risk of skin cancers: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Abstract Background The causal relationship between vitamins supplementation and the risk of skin cancers remains unclear. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to assess the associations between vitamins supplementation and skin cancers in the general population. Objective We aimed to investigate the causal relationship of vitamins (A-E) supplementation with skin cancers using and utilizing the linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) Mendelian randomization (MR). Materials and methods We selected genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to vitamin supplements (A-E). Summary-level data for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma were obtained from large-scale genome-wide association studies. We applied the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method within a random effects model, alongside weighted median, MR-Egger, simple median, sensitivity analyses, and MRlap methods to ensure robustness. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationship between vitamins supplementation and melanoma. The STROBE-MR checklist was followed throughout. Results Folate supplementation was associated with a reduced melanoma risk (IVW OR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.96; P = 0.006). The MR analysis indicated a significant inverse causal relationship. Heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses confirmed minimal impact from individual SNPs. MRlap corrected for potential estimation bias due to sample overlap, which was not significant, reinforcing the IVW findings. The meta-analysis ensured robust and stable results. LDSC regression analysis suggests a weak causal relationship between folate supplementation and melanoma. Yet no association was found between genetically predicted vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and skin cancers. Conclusion Both observational meta-analysis and MR analysis based on genetic variation provide robust evidence indicat that folate supplementation decreases the risk of melanoma, suggesting that interventions targeting folate supplementation may contribute to the primary prevention of melanoma. Further studies are needed to explore the potential association between other vitamins supplementation and the risk of skin cancers.

Keywords

• Vitamin
• Folate supplementation
• Mendelian randomization
• Skin cancers
• Meta-analysis
• MRlap