Comorbid chronic diseases play a critical role in patients with cancer. Approximately three out of four patients with cancer have at least one pre-existing chronic disease, such as cardiovascular diseases, liver and renal diseases, metabolic diseases, neurological disorders, chronic infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. There is evidence that these non-malignant diseases share some common risk factors with cancer. However, it remains unclear how these factors are associated with the onset and outcome of cancer.
This research project aims to demonstrate the role of comorbid chronic diseases in the development and prognosis of cancer. We will integrate data from the UK biobank, such as biological measurements, lifestyle indicators, laboratory biomarkers, environmental data, primary care data, imaging of the body and brain, genetic data, proteomic data, and metabolomic data. Then we will investigate the multidimensional relationship between cancer and other chronic conditions. We will conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine their common risk factors, discover which genetic variances can contribute to the onset and development of cancer and comorbid chronic diseases, and assess whether comorbid chronic diseases or their risk factors are causally linked to cancer. Furthermore, we will also evaluate how medication usage of comorbid chronic diseases affects the onset and prognosis of cancer.
This project promises new insights into screening, prevention, early intervention, and treatment strategies in patients with cancer and comorbid chronic diseases.
