study on copper and zinc in the serum of some cancer patients

ABSTRACT

Many reposts had suggested that copper and zinc may reflect diseases activity in lymphoma. Also, zinc helps in the function of WBCs in immune system. Whole blood samples were taken from 6 healthy donors and 10 patients suffering from different types of cancer. Serum copper and zinc were measured by using XRF method. Serum copper of cancer patients is higher than that of controls [P < 0.05] while serum zinc concentration is lower in patients than that of controls. Therefore, these two elements can be used as additional tests in diagnosis and managing cancer patients