The effects of platinum chemotherapy on essential trace elements

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Oncology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy agent.
• Chemotherapy can impact essential trace element metabolism.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of cisplatin chemotherapy on essential trace element metabolism.
• To assess changes in serum and urinary trace element levels.
• To explore potential mechanisms for observed alterations.

Main Methods:

• Studied 12 cancer patients before and after cisplatin treatment.
• Measured serum concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), caeruloplasmin, and C-reactive protein.
• Analyzed urinary excretion of Cu, Mg, Zn, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity.

Main Results:

• Significantly reduced post-treatment serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mg.
• Increased urinary excretion of Cu, Mg, and Zn.
• Elevated urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity, indicating renal tubular dysfunction.
• Unaltered Se, caeruloplasmin, and C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusions:

• Cisplatin treatment leads to decreased serum levels of essential trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mg).
• Increased urinary excretion, potentially due to cisplatin-induced renal tubular dysfunction, is a likely mechanism.
• The clinical significance of these trace element losses in cancer patients requires further investigation.