Abstract :
Background: Zinc acts as growth protector for neoplastic cells and its deficiency
was contributed to carcinogenesis. However, the determinations of serum zinc
in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) prediction and prognosis requires more
investigations. Objective: To evaluate and compare serum zinc in ALL patients
and healthy controls and to correlate the serum zinc levels with hematological
prognostic markers. Materials and methods: the study was conducted in
Khartoum state-Sudan during the period from December 2013 to September
2014, it involved a case group of ALL patients (N=100) matched for age and
gender with a control group (N=100). Serum copper and zinc levels and full blood
count were investigated. Results: The ALL patients showed lower levels of Zn
0.73 ± 0.18 mg/dl compared to controls 1.01 ± 0.25 mg/dl [P = 0.003]. The serum
Zn levels were inversely correlated with total white cell (-0.804, P < 0.0001) and
blast counts (-0.935, P < 0.0001) Conclusion: These findings ALL associated with
lower serum zinc levels and higher serum copper levels. The determination of
serum zinc and copper could be used as ALL prognostic markers.
Keyword :
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, zinc, carcinogenesis.