Serum trace elements during treatment in pancreatic cancer patients and their associations with cancer prognosis

Background & Aims In this study, we assessed serum trace element concentrations in patients with pancreatic cancer and compared the results to those of healthy controls and patients with chronic pancreatitis. We evaluated the association between trace element concentrations during cancer treatment and the risk of cancer progression and mortality in pancreatic cancer patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary center in Korea. Serum trace element concentrations of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were measured at diagnosis using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in 124 pancreatic cancer patients, 50 chronic pancreatitis patients, and 120 healthy controls. Trace elements were measured after a median of 282.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 224.0–326.5) days from treatment initiation to assess changes in trace element concentrations during treatment. Results Serum Co and Cu concentrations were significantly higher in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer than in healthy controls, while serum Se and Zn concentrations were significantly lower. During treatment, serum concentrations of Cu, Se, and Zn were significantly decreased in patients with pancreatic cancer. During the follow-up (median 152.5; 95% CI, 142.8–160.0 months), 85.5% of patients experienced progression or relapse, and 84.7% of patients died. Patients with decreased Se and Zn concentrations during treatment had a higher mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.10; 95% CI, 1.31–3.38; P = 0.0020 for Se; HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06–2.79; P = 0.0269 for Zn) compared to those with unchanged or increased trace element concentrations during treatment. Patients with a greater reduction in Zn concentrations during treatment had a higher mortality than those with a smaller reduction (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01–2.52; P = 0.0483). Patients whose Zn status changed to deficient after treatment had an increased mortality (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.16–2.67, P = 0.0084). Patients with multiple (≥ 2) trace element deficiencies after treatment had poorer outcomes than those with no or single trace element deficiency. Conclusions This study revealed that decreases in Se and Zn concentrations during cancer treatment were associated with adverse outcomes in terms of cancer progression and mortality in patients with pancreatic cancer. Further prospective investigations are recommended.