The metabolic health theme explores the effect of obesity-related metabolic complications on cancer. Having characterized reliable associations between body composition and cancer risk – and the footprint this risk factor leaves on metabolic measures and outcomes – a major focus is to use genetic variants associated with these intermediate traits to better understand cancer risk. The intermediate traits include body composition, insulin sensitivity and secretion, circulating metabolites, inflammation, microbiome composition and toxic chemicals.

Two-sample Mendelian randomization investigations will be conducted to estimate the effect of metabolic exposures on common cancers. Where results indicate strong genetic evidence, observational studies and preclinical experiments will be conducted in order to triangulate our findings.

This research theme is co-chaired by Emma Vincent, Claire Perks, Kostas Tsilidis and Kate Ruth and builds on collaborations between groups at the University of Bristol, International Agency for Research on Cancer and the University of Exeter.