Biophysics and Beyond

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases among women worldwide. The identification of biochemical and molecular alterations associated with tumor progression may contribute to improved disease assessment. This study aimed to investigate correlation between serum levels of the tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)) and biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and the Cu/Zn ratio) in patients with breast cancer. The study included 34 women aged 39-75 years with clinically, laboratory and histologically confirmed breast cancer and 12 age-matched clinically healthy women as controls. Tumor markers were determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, biochemical enzymes were measured using kinetic enzymatic and colorimetric methods and serum Cu and Zn concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. CEA, CA 15-3, ALT, GGT, ALP, Cu and the Cu/Zn ratio significantly increased in the breast cancer group, whereas Zn levels were significantly decreased compared with controls. Significant positive correlations were observed between tumor markers and Cu and between tumor markers and the Cu/Zn ratio, while Zn showed inverse associations with tumor markers. These findings suggest that combined assessment of tumor markers, biochemical enzymes and trace elements may provide additional information for the biochemical characterization of breast cancer.