Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39284974›Full record

ArticleNature genetics2024

Systematic prioritization of functional variants and effector genes underlying colorectal cancer risk.

Philip J Law, James Studd, James Smith, Jayaram Vijayakrishnan, Bradley T Harris, Maria Mandelia, Charlie Mills, Malcolm G Dunlop, Richard S Houlston

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature genetics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. UnlockingNAR genomics and bioinformatics · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Polygenic risk scores in cancer.Medizinische Genetik : Mitteilungsblatt des Berufsverbandes Medizinische Genetik e.V · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Philip J LawDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9663-4611
James StuddDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7157-754X
James SmithDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.
Jayaram VijayakrishnanDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8284-2249
Bradley T HarrisColon Cancer Genetics Group, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9585-1016
Maria MandeliaDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7571-6669
Charlie MillsDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4755-7549
Malcolm G DunlopColon Cancer Genetics Group, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3033-5851
Richard S HoulstonDivision of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK. richard.houlston@icr.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5268-0242

Funding

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) C1298/A25514Cancer Research UK (CRUK) C348/A12076Cancer Research UK (CRUK) DRCPGM\100012Wellcome TrustWellcome Trust 214388
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) have identified 170 autosomal risk loci. However, for most of these, the functional variants and their target genes are unknown. Here, we perform statistical fine-mapping incorporating tissue-specific epigenetic annotations and massively parallel reporter assays to systematically prioritize functional variants for each CRC risk locus. We identify plausible causal variants for the 170 risk loci, with a single variant for 40. We link these variants to 208 target genes by analyzing colon-specific quantitative trait loci and implementing the activity-by-contact model, which integrates epigenomic features and Micro-C data, to predict enhancer-gene connections. By deciphering CRC risk loci, we identify direct links between risk variants and target genes, providing further insight into the molecular basis of CRC susceptibility and highlighting potential pharmaceutical targets for prevention and treatment.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenome-Wide Association StudyPolymorphism, Single NucleotideQuantitative Trait LociEpigenesis, GeneticHumansRisk Factors

Identifiers

PMID39284974
PMCPMC11525171

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.