# Causal relationship between gut microbiota and laryngeal cancer: a mendelian randomization analysis

## TL;DR

This study finds that certain gut bacteria are linked to a higher or lower risk of laryngeal cancer, suggesting microbiome-based strategies for prevention and treatment.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific gut microbiota taxa with causal effects on laryngeal cancer risk using Mendelian randomization.

## Key findings

- Higher levels of Clostridiaceae1 and Turicibacter are associated with reduced laryngeal cancer risk.
- Mollicutes RF9, Euryarchaeota, and Cyanobacteria are linked to increased laryngeal cancer risk.
- Gut microbiota composition has a causal relationship with laryngeal cancer risk.

## Abstract

•This study establishes a link between gut microbiota and laryngeal cancer risk.•Clostridiaceae1 and Turicibacter can reduce the risk of laryngeal cancer.•Mollicutes RF9, Euryarchaeota and Cyanobacteria can improve laryngeal cancer’s risk.•Targeting gut microbiota can offer strategies for laryngeal cancer’s treatment.

This study establishes a link between gut microbiota and laryngeal cancer risk.

Clostridiaceae1 and Turicibacter can reduce the risk of laryngeal cancer.

Mollicutes RF9, Euryarchaeota and Cyanobacteria can improve laryngeal cancer’s risk.

Targeting gut microbiota can offer strategies for laryngeal cancer’s treatment.

Laryngeal cancer incidence is rising globally; the role of gut microbiota remains underexplored. This study aimed to establish a causal link between gut microbiota and laryngeal cancer to inform preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Gut microbiota data from GWAS conducted by the MiBioGen consortium served as the exposure variable, with laryngeal cancer as the outcome variable. the exposure variable and the outcome variable were analyzed using Mendelian Randomization. The primary method was Inverse Variance Weighted analysis, with heterogeneity and pleiotropy assessed through Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO.

In the study, we identified five bacterial taxa with potential causal relationships with laryngeal cancer risk: Higher levels of Clostridiaceae1 (OR = 0.9993, 95% CI 0.9986–0.9999, p = 0.0463) and Turicibacter (OR = 0.9995, 95% CI 0.9989–0.9999, p = 0.0384) were linked to reduced cancer risk, while Mollicutes RF9 (OR = 1.0010, 95% CI 1.0003–1.0016, p = 0.0027), Euryarchaeota (OR = 1.0004, 95% CI 1.0001–1.0007, p = 0.0234), and Cyanobacteria (OR = 1.0005, 95% CI 1.0000–1.0009, p = 0.0464) were associated with increased risk.

Our findings suggest a causal relationship between gut microbiota composition and laryngeal cancer risk. Clostridiaceae1 and Turicibacter may play a protective role, while Mollicutes RF9, Euryarchaeota, and Cyanobacteria could contribute to increased cancer susceptibility. These insights highlight potential microbiome-based strategies for early detection, prevention, and therapeutic intervention in laryngeal cancer.

Level 5.