Evaluation of Serum Levels of Trace Elements in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Case-Control Study

The lack or excess of some of trace elements or heavy metals could be associated with the risk of hematologic malignancy. This study aimed to compare the patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm with the serum concentrations of Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd) and cobalt (Co) in healthy individuals. Healthy individuals in the control group and newly diagnosed patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm were involved in the research. The patient and control groups were similar in terms of socioeconomic status and eating habits. The serum levels of the trace elements were determined via Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The myeloproliferative neoplasm group consisted of 60 patients while the control group consisted of 20 volunteers. In the patient group, serum Zn and Fe concentrations were significantly lower than the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.001). Serum Cu, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni and Mn concentrations were higher in the patient group (p=0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.027, respectively). When a comparison was made between Mn serum level and the control group, Mn serum level was determined to be low in PMF (p>5%). Serum Cd and Ni levels were higher in PMF, ET, CML and PV (p=0.005). Pb serum level was higher in ET, CML and PV (p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). Serum Fe and Zn levels were lower in the PMF, ET, CML and PV groups (p=0.001 and p >0.5, respectively, for Fe). Serum Zn and Fe levels were lower and Cu, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni and Mn levels were higher in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm. In particular, Zn is a very strong antioxidant element, and the fact that Zn is low in patients suggests that it could be an important marker in PV, ET, CML and PMF cases.