Copper, Zinc, and Cu/Zn Ratio in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Abstract

Introduction: Many epidemiological and experimental studies report a strong role of chemical carcinogens in the etiology of bladder cancer. However, involvement of trace elements in the tumorigenesis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between zinc, copper and bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: Zinc and copper concentration and Cu/Zn ratio in two 36-sample series of bladder cancer tissue and sera from patients with this neoplasm were matched with those of the control group. The amount of trace elements in every tissue sample was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. This was correlated with tumor stage. Results: While the copper concentrations reached statistically higher values in the bladder cancer tissue, the zinc levels in the sera and bladder tissue of the patients with this carcinoma were substantially lower as compared to those of the control group. The serum Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in the bladder cancer group and this increase was greater in the patients with muscle-invasive neoplasm. Conclusions: The results obtained suggest a relationship between trace elements and the bladder cancer.

Serum Copper and Zinc Levels Among Iranian Colorectal Cancer Patients

“…We observed significant elevations of Cu/Zn ratio in total cases compared to the control group (Table 1). This finding is in agreement with reports of the most previous studies suggesting markedly elevated serum Cu/Zn ratio in cancers, such as CRC, bladder, prostate, breast, thyroid, and liver cancer [8,11,19,38].…”

“…Exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to direct DNA damage, mutation, and carcinogenesis [6,7]. Previous studies have reported alterations in the concentrations of serum or neoplastic tissue trace elements in various carcinomas including breast, bladder, gastric, gallbladder, and lung cancers [1,[8][9][10][11][12].…”

“…Disturbances of blood Zn and Cu concentrations have been previously observed in many types of cancers including head and neck, gastrointestinal, and bladder carcinomas, and the Cu/Zn ratio have been suggested as a biochemical marker of cancer prognosis [8,[16][17][18][19]. Substantial heterogeneity was reported across studies in the relationship between cancer and changes of these trace elements.…”

Chromium in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

“…There is an emerging understanding of toxic and carcinogenic effects of certain heavy metals and trace elements in both animals and humans [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Chromium (Cr) is a known human carcinogen and has been hypothesized as a cause of several cancers, including leukaemia and neoplasms of lung, nose and nasal sinuses [8][9][10].…”

Cadmium in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

“…Many chemicals, including heavy metals and trace elements, have been shown to be carcinogens for bladder cancer [10][11][12]. Experimental studies have demonstrated that cadmium can induce both benign and malignant tumour formation at various sites including the urinary tract [13][14][15][16].…”