| Title: | Plasma fatty acid associated with risk of gastrointestinal cancer: a prospective cohort study from UK Biobank |
| Journal: | Translational Cancer Research |
| Published: | 21 Apr 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42180903/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.21037/tcr-2025-1-2763 |
Publication 20212
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Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, highlighting an urgent need for effective preventive approaches. While fatty acids (FAs) are implicated of carcinogenesis across multiple cancer types, their specific associations with GI cancer risk, and particularly their clinical utility as actionable biomarkers for risk stratification and personalized prevention within existing preventive frameworks, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to prospectively assess these associations and evaluate the clinical utility of plasma fatty acids for risk stratification and personalized prevention.</p>
Methods: This prospective cohort study included 91,239 cancer-free UK Biobank participants at baseline [2006-2010]. Plasma FAs were quantified using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Incident GI cancers [esophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver, bile duct, pancreas; International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10) codes] were identified via national cancer registries through 2020. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for incident GI cancers, with comprehensive adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical covariates.</p>
Results: During a median follow-up of 11.8 years, 1,519 incident GI cancer cases were documented. Compared to non-cases, cases were older (mean age 60.8 vs. 55.5 years) and had a higher proportion of males (58.2% vs. 45.8%). After comprehensive adjustment for sociodemographic factors [age, sex, family history, educational level, Townsend deprivation index (TDI)], lifestyle characteristics (smoking, alcohol consumption, lifestyle score), clinical covariates [body mass index (BMI), diabetes history], and mutual correction for FA classes, each one-standard-deviation increase in plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels was associated with a 21% reduced risk of overall GI cancer [hazard ratio (HR) per 1 standard deviation (1- SD) increase: 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.87]. Cancer-specific analyses revealed significant risk reductions for esophageal (HR =0.68; 95% CI: 0.53-0.88), colorectal (HR =0.82; 95% CI: 0.70-0.95), and liver cancers (HR =0.66; 95% CI: 0.46-0.93). Subgroup analyses demonstrated stronger protective effects in males (HR =0.74), older adults (HR =0.73), and individuals with higher BMI (HR =0.81-0.82). Conversely, saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were positively associated with GI cancer risk.</p>
Conclusions: Elevated plasma PUFA levels are associated with reduced incidence of GI cancers, particularly in esophageal, colorectal, and liver cancers. These findings suggest that plasma PUFA measurements may facilitate the identification of high-risk subsets (e.g., males, older adults, individuals with obesity) and inform the development of biomarker-driven dietary guidelines for precision prevention. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of targeted PUFA supplementation in specific populations.</p>
6 Authors
- Tianyu Song
- Sien Hu
- Yongji Sun
- Jian Wu
- Yulian Wu
- Xiawei Li
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 91734 | Association of night shifts work!genetic risk and risk of gastrointestinal cancer in the UK Biobank |
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