Antioxidants (Jul 2024)

Antioxidant Properties of Zinc and Copper—Blood Zinc-to Copper-Ratio as a Marker of Cancer Risk BRCA1 Mutation Carriers

  • Milena Matuszczak,
  • Adam Kiljańczyk,
  • Wojciech Marciniak,
  • Róża Derkacz,
  • Klaudia Stempa,
  • Piotr Baszuk,
  • Marta Bryśkiewicz,
  • Cezary Cybulski,
  • Tadeusz Dębniak,
  • Jacek Gronwald,
  • Tomasz Huzarski,
  • Marcin Lener,
  • Anna Jakubowska,
  • Marek Szwiec,
  • Małgorzata Stawicka-Niełacna,
  • Dariusz Godlewski,
  • Artur Prusaczyk,
  • Andrzej Jasiewicz,
  • Tomasz Kluz,
  • Joanna Tomiczek-Szwiec,
  • Ewa Kilar-Kobierzycka,
  • Monika Siołek,
  • Rafał Wiśniowski,
  • Renata Posmyk,
  • Joanna Jarkiewicz-Tretyn,
  • Rodney Scott,
  • Jan Lubiński

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13070841
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 7
p. 841

Abstract

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Pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) confer high risks of both breast (up to 70%) and ovarian (up to 40%) cancers. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential for various physiological functions, including antioxidant reactions. Their balance, reflected in the Zn/Cu ratio, plays a crucial role in maintaining redox homeostasis, which is vital for cancer prevention. This study examines the antioxidant properties of Zn and Cu, specifically focusing on the blood Zn/Cu ratio as a potential marker for cancer risk among BRCA1 mutation carriers. The study cohort consisted of 989 initially unaffected women, followed up for 7.5 years. Blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Although individual Zn and Cu levels did not significantly correlate with overall cancer risk, those women with a Zn/Cu ratio above 6.38 experienced a significantly lower cancer risk than women with a ratio below this cut-off point. This suggests that the Zn/Cu ratio may be a valuable biomarker for cancer prevention in this high-risk group. Given the increased cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers, optimizing Zn and Cu levels through dietary and active interventions could provide a preventive strategy.

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