Issues

The cover image is adapted from Fig. 1 in the article, “Causal Relationship between Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Risk of Neuroblastoma: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study,” Wu and Ding and colleagues. The causal relationship between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and neuroblastoma remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the causality between SHBG and the risk of neuroblastoma using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study. The study reveals that the elevated levels of male SHBG, but not female SHBG, significantly increase the risk of neuroblastoma positively, indicating that male SHBG plays a causal role in the incidence of neuroblastoma. Figure 1 shows the causal relationship of male SHBG levels on neuroblastoma. The gender-specific effect indicates a potential differential role of SHBG in the etiology of neuroblastoma. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this gender disparity. Monitoring SHBG levels, especially in males, could be pivotal in neuroblastoma risk assessment and management. This study highlights a novel gender-specific aspect in the risk of neuroblastoma, emphasizing the potential role of male SHBG levels in neuroblastoma incidence, and sets the stage for targeted preventative strategies and further investigation into gender-based biological mechanisms. For more information, see the article beginning on page 846.