Abstract :Background: Our research hypothesis is that copper, zinc, and selenium may have a potential role
in the development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). We carried out this study to determine
the serum levels of copper, zinc, and selenium among patients with HCC compared to the normal
subjects, and to explore the contribution of their serum levels to the development of both HCC and
late HCC.
Patients and Methods: A case-control study including 91 patients with HCC and 92 normal
subjects was carried out. All the study population were provided clinical evaluation, imaging studies
(including triphasic abdominal computed tomography), and laboratory investigations (including
estimation of the serum levels of copper, zinc, and selenium).
Results: Both groups were matching. All patients with HCC had evidence of liver cirrhosis. Serum
levels of zinc (76 ± 20 mcg/dL vs 139 ± 36, p 0.022) and selenium (50.6 ± 6.97 mcg/dL vs 93 ± 5.7
mcg/dL, p 0.037) were significantly lower among patients with HCC compared to normal subjects,
respectively. Serum levels of copper were higher among patients with HCC compared to the normal
subjects; however, this was not statistically significant. When comparing patients with late HCC to
those with early HCC, serum levels of zinc were significantly lower among patients with late HCC
(51.84 ± 19.2 mcg/dL vs 103.58 ± 24.1 mcg/dL, p 0.016).
Conclusions: Lower serum levels of zinc and selenium can be associated with a higher risk of HCC
development. In addition, high serum levels of copper may be associated with a higher stage of
HCC. Further evaluation for the biologic role of these trace elements in the development of HCC
is warranted.