Trace Element Biomarkers in Oncology
Summary
Trace elements such as copper, zinc, selenium and iron play indispensable roles in cellular metabolism, redox balance and the regulation of oncogenic pathways. Aberrations in systemic or tissue‐specific concentrations of these micronutrients frequently accompany cancer development and progression. Elevated copper levels and altered copper/zinc ratios have been linked to oxidative stress, angiogenesis and drug resistance, while diminished zinc and selenium concentrations may compromise antioxidant defence and immune surveillance. Advances in metallomic profiling and high‐resolution detection techniques have enabled the characterisation of trace element distributions in serum, hair and tumour biopsies. Such profiles offer promise for early detection, prognostic stratification and therapeutic monitoring across tumour types. However, inter‐individual variability, dietary influences and confounding inflammatory responses necessitate standardised sampling and analytical protocols. Integrating trace element markers with genomic, proteomic and imaging data is advancing a holistic framework for personalised oncology care and may reveal novel avenues for metal‐targeted interventions.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent meta-analysis of breast cancer patients and healthy controls has compared both serum and hair zinc levels. Findings demonstrate no consistent difference in circulating zinc, whereas hair concentrations are significantly lower in affected individuals. This work highlights the potential of non-invasive tissue sampling to capture cumulative trace element alterations that escape detection in blood. By emphasising hair zinc as a stable integrative biomarker, the study has set a methodological precedent for evaluating other metal–cancer associations and underscores the value of analysing multiple biological matrices to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Trace Element Biomarkers in Oncology publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in trace element biomarkers in oncology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Trace elements: Micronutrients present at minute concentrations essential for enzymatic catalysis, redox regulation and cellular signalling.
Copper/zinc ratio: Comparative index of serum or tissue copper and zinc levels, reflecting metal balance and associated with oxidative stress and prognosis.
Metallothionein: Cysteine-rich proteins that bind heavy metals, regulate their bioavailability and protect cells from metal-induced oxidative damage.
Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS): Mitochondrial process of ATP generation involving electron transport complexes, including cytochrome c oxidase, whose activity can be modulated by copper.
Biomarker: Measurable indicator of biological state or condition, used for diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of disease.
References
- Serum copper, zinc and copper/zinc ratio in relation to survival after breast cancer diagnosis: A prospective multicenter cohort study. Redox Biology (2023).
- Copper-Induced Enhancement of Glioblastoma Tumorigenicity via Cytochrome C Oxidase. Antioxidants (2025).
- Serum and hair zinc levels in breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Scientific Reports (2015).
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