Evaluation of Certain Trace Elements in Egyptian Patients with Newly Diagnosed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Trace elements have fundamental roles within human body. According to the etiology of neoplastic diseases and its relation to alteration in antioxidants levels and pollution, many researchers have studied if trace elements have a role in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of Se, Zn, Cu and Pb levels in Egyptian patients with recently diagnosed Non- Hodgkin s Lymphoma (NHL). The study included Group I: Twenty patients (9 males and 11 females) who were newly diagnosed as Non-Hodgkin s Lymphomas and did not received any treatment. Group II: Twenty age and sex matched healthy subjects were included as control. We measured Se, Zn, Cu and Pb. The mean serum Se, Zn and Pb levels were higher in NHL patients than controls. The mean serum Cu levels were lower in NHL patients than controls. The Cu/Zn ratio was markedly decreased in patients than in controls. Upon classification of NHL patients into 2 subtypes FL and DLBL, apart from Se level no statistically significant difference was detected regarding other parameters. These results were in disagreement with most of the previous studies on non-Egyptian. So this study warrants further studies on larger sample size. Also, we recommend further assessments for the effect of these trace elements on clinical outcome of disease.