Serum Levels of Some Trace Elements in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with an estimated 906,000 new cases and 830,000 deaths in 2020. It is also the third leading cause for cancer deaths , with 15% 5-year survival rate.

Diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients is mainly based on non-invasive imaging techniques. Multiphasic computed tomography (CT) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the most sensitive imaging techniques for diagnosis of HCC. While the most common serologic marker for early screening of HCC is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Liver is the main site of trace elements metabolism, and their levels are affected by different causes of liver disease. Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element which is required for the function of numerous enzymatic molecules active in human cell metabolic pathways. Zn plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism, with more than 300 proteins that regulate cellular functions containing Zn-binding domains. Zn protects against carcinogenesis as it helps activation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair enzymes. Also it is a component of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that removes free radicals.

Zn deficiency was reported to be associated with increased liver fibrosis.and hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC. Zn deficiency is also associated with complications related to liver cirrhosis, such as sarcopenia and hepatic encephalopathy.

Magnesium (Mg), as a co-factor for up to 600 enzymes, has a fundamental role in many physiological and biochemical functions including cell proliferation, DNA repair and energy metabolism.