Human serum elements' levels and leukemia: A first pilot study from an adult Greek cohort

The present study focuses on the evaluation of potential relationships between trace elements and acute and chronic types of leukemia, via the determination of their levels in human blood serum.

A total of 199 serum samples from a Greek cohort were examined, including both leukemia cases and controls. Elements' analysis was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and demographic features such as age, gender, smoking habits and area of residence were recorded and statistically treated applying Shapiro-Wilk, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) were also performed to investigate possible associations.

The results demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.05) trace elements concentrations in cases' serum compared to that of controls excluding Ba, with Cu (median concentration 1295 μg L^-1) being the most abundant in cases. Additionally, concentration of toxic Pb and Cd were found at seven and four fold higher concentrations in cases, respectively. Among the trace elements examined, only Rb (164 μg L^-1) was detected in higher concentrations in controls. Ba, Cd and Co presented the lowest concentrations (lower than 1 μg L^-1). PCA was performed for overall and classified data, indicating a stronger relation among the toxic As, Cd, Ni and Pb in cases than controls, particularly referring to smokers and industrial sites' residents. Hematological parameters and factors such as age and gender did not present any significant outcome or correlation.

The findings from this pilot study suggest a potential relationship between metals and leukemia, especially concerning the toxic ones. Results from the employed source apportionment tools imply that smoking and atmospheric degradation may be positively related with higher metal serum levels in leukemia patients.