Is low-level metal exposure related to testicular cancer?

Abstract

Disruption of element homeostasis may contribute to increased susceptibility of men to cancer development. Whether environmental low-level metal exposure could contribute to the pathogenesis of testicular cancer is unknown. Comparison of the level of 18 elements in whole blood, serum and urine and parameters of oxidative stress/antioxidant status between men with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and healthy men showed significant difference between the groups in most parameters. The results of linear discriminant analysis with a discrimination rate of 96% indicated whole blood Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na and Zn, serum Ca, Cu, Na and Ni, and urine Cd, Co, Fe and Mn being the strongest predictors of illness. TGCT patients had a significant increase in serum and blood Cu and decrease in serum Fe and blood Zn with cancer progression. Significantly higher concentrations of Al, As, Pb, and Ni in whole blood/serum of men with TGCT confirm the hypothesis that low-level environmental exposure to these elements may contribute to cancer development. Relationship between elements concentrations and treatment outcomes should be carefully monitored during cancer treatment since high concentrations of commonly used platinum-based chemotherapeutics may additionally disturb the homeostasis of elements.

Keywords:

• Testicular cancer
• toxic elements
• oxidative stress
• linear discriminant analysis

Ethical permission

The ethics committees of two collaborating institutions approved the study: University Hospital Centre (No. 01/001/VG) and Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health (No. 01-74/2-11) in Zagreb, Croatia.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (Project No. 022-0222411-2408, PI: Alica Pizent, PhD).