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Quantifying the association between acute leukemia and serum zinc, copper, and selenium: a meta-analysis

Sangyoung Kim1, Jeanne H Freeland-Graves1, Mahsa Babaei1

  • 1a University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences , Nutritional Sciences , Austin , TX , USA.

Leukemia & Lymphoma
|December 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This meta-analysis reveals altered levels of essential trace elements in acute leukemia patients. Zinc and selenium levels were significantly lower, while copper levels were higher compared to healthy controls.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Acute leukemia is a cancer of immature white blood cells.
  • Trace elements like zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) play roles in immune function and cellular protection.
  • Imbalances in these elements may be associated with leukemia development or progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To statistically synthesize existing research on serum Zn, Cu, and Se levels in acute leukemia patients.
  • To determine the pooled effect size of differences in these trace elements between patients and controls.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis approach was employed to standardize and combine data from multiple studies.
  • Effect size (delta) was calculated to quantify differences.
  • Robust variance estimation (RVE) was used for pooled analysis.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower serum zinc levels were observed in acute leukemia patients (delta = -1.21, p < .05).
  • Significantly lower serum selenium levels were found in acute leukemia patients (delta = -1.84, p < .05).
  • Significantly higher serum copper levels were detected in acute leukemia patients (delta = 1.94, p < .01).

Conclusions:

  • Serum zinc and selenium levels are significantly decreased in acute leukemia.
  • Serum copper levels are significantly increased in acute leukemia.
  • These findings suggest potential roles for Zn, Cu, and Se dysregulation in acute leukemia pathogenesis.

Keywords:
Leukemiacopperseleniumtrace elementszinc

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