Discov Oncol. 2025 Aug 23;16(1):1601. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-03336-y.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The causal relationship between interleukin-7 levels and neuroblastoma risk remains unclear, and optimal radiation therapy timing lacks definitive evidence. This study investigated causal associations using Mendelian randomization while examining radiation therapy timing effects.
METHODS: We conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using GWAS summary statistics for interleukin-7 levels and neuroblastoma with three SNPs as instrumental variables. Multiple MRmethods included inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and mode approaches. Additionally, 1,007 neuroblastoma patients from SEER database (2000-2018) were analyzed comparing preoperative (n = 416) versus postoperative (n = 591) radiation therapy using propensity score matching and Cox regression models.
RESULTS: Mendelian randomization revealed significant positive causal association between elevated interleukin-7 levels and increased neuroblastoma risk. The IVW method showed higher interleukin-7 levels associated with 3.6-fold increased odds (OR = 3.585, 95% CI: 1.216-10.575, p = 0.021). In clinical analysis, preoperative radiation demonstrated superior survival outcomes with 27% mortality reduction (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.97, p = 0.031). Subgroup analysis revealed significant racial differences, with White patients deriving greatest benefit from preoperative radiation (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42-0.78, p < 0.001).
RESULTS: This study provides evidence for causal relationship between interleukin-7 levels and neuroblastoma risk, suggesting inflammatory pathways’ role in pathogenesis.
PMID:40849609 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-025-03336-y
