Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
08:14
MicroRNA Based Liquid Biopsy: The Experience of the Plasma miRNA Signature Classifier MSC for Lung Cancer Screening
Published on: October 26, 2017
16.1K
Associations between Plasma Metal Concentrations and Mortality Risk in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A
Yan Liu1, Xiao-Yun Chen2, Jing-Si Chen1
1School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
Biological Trace Element Research
|November 25, 2025
Summary
Higher plasma selenium and iron levels may reduce mortality risk in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, while copper increases risk. This study explored metal exposure impacts on NSCLC survival.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Circulating metal concentrations are linked to lung cancer development and prognosis.
- The impact of simultaneous exposure to multiple metals on mortality in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between individual and combined plasma metal exposures and mortality risk in NSCLC patients.
- To identify specific metals influencing NSCLC patient survival.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 444 NSCLC patients was followed for mortality.
- Plasma concentrations of 13 metals were measured.
- Cox proportional hazards regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were used to analyze mortality risks and metal interactions.
Main Results:
- Higher plasma selenium (Se) and iron (Fe) were associated with reduced mortality risk.
- Higher plasma copper (Cu) was associated with increased mortality risk.
- Copper showed the highest contribution to mortality risk, followed by iron and selenium.
Conclusions:
- Plasma Se and Fe are associated with lower mortality risk in NSCLC patients.
- Plasma Cu is associated with higher mortality risk in NSCLC patients.
- Further multi-center studies are needed to validate these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
