Melanoma: is there any association with BMI and height?

Takeaway

• This study found no evidence for a causal association between genetically predicted body mass index (BMI) and increased risk of melanoma but found evidence to suggest that genetically predicted height may increase the risk for melanoma.

Why this matters

• Previous observational studies examining the association between BMI, height and melanoma risk have shown inconsistent results.

Study design

• 2-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis (Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits [GIANT] plus UK Biobank) was performed using data from the melanoma genome-wide association study meta-analyses, comprising 12,874 cases and 23,203 controls.
• Data on melanoma single-nucleotide polymorphisms for BMI (n=730) and height (n=3163) were evaluated.
• Funding: The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Key results

• 2-sample MR analysis found no significant association between genetically predicted BMI and melanoma (OR per 1 standard deviation [1 SD] [4.6 kg/m²] increase in BMI, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.91-1.11]).
• Genetically predicted height was positively associated with the risk for melanoma (OR per 1 SD (9.27 cm) increase in height, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02-1.13]).
• Similar results were obtained for sensitivity analysis using 2 alternatives (either GIANT or UK Biobank only).

Limitations

• Potential pleiotropy.