Pre‐diagnostic circulating resistin concentrations and mortality among individuals with colorectal cancer: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study

Resistin is a protein involved in inflammation and angiogenesis processes and may play a role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it remains unclear whether resistin is associated with increased mortality after CRC diagnosis. We examined pre‐diagnostic serum resistin concentrations in relation to CRC‐specific and all‐cause mortality among 1343 incident CRC cases from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. For CRC‐specific mortality as the primary outcome, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated from competing risk analyses based on cause‐specific Cox proportional hazards models and further in sensitivity analyses using Fine–Gray proportional subdistribution hazards models. For all‐cause mortality as the secondary outcome, Cox proportional hazards models were used. Subgroup analyses were performed by sex, tumor subsite, tumor stage, body mass index and time to CRC diagnosis. Resistin was measured on a median of 4.8 years before CRC diagnosis. During a median follow‐up of 8.2 years, 474 deaths from CRC and 147 deaths from other causes were observed. Resistin concentrations were not associated with CRC‐specific mortality (HRQ4vsQ1 = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.73–1.23; Ptrend = .97; and HRper doubling of resistin concentration = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.84–1.19; P = .98) or all‐cause mortality. Results from competing risk (sensitivity) analysis were similar. No associations were found in any subgroup analyses. These findings suggest no association between pre‐diagnostic circulating resistin concentrations and CRC‐specific or all‐cause mortality among persons with CRC, and the potential insignificance of resistin in CRC progression. What's new? Previous studies suggested that obesity and inflammation are related to cancer progression, and resistin was proposed as an obesity biomarker involved in inflammatory processes in humans. However, it remained unclear whether resistin is associated with increased mortality after colorectal cancer diagnosis. In this study the authors examined the novel association between pre‐diagnostic level of resistin and mortality in 1343 incident colorectal cancer patients. Resistin concentrations measured 4.8 years before diagnosis were not associated with mortality in individuals with CRC. These findings do not support the hypothesis that resistin may contribute to cancer progression.