The prognostic value of serum copper, zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio in patients with multiple myeloma

S UMMARYTHE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SERUM COPPER, ZINC LEVELS ANDCU/ZN RATIO IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE MYELOMAINTRODUCTION: MM is a haematologic malignancy with increased monoclonalIg levels, renal lesions, hypercalcemia and anemia due to the malign increase ofplasma cells. The aim of our study is to define the prognostic value of serum Cu,Zn levels and Cu/Zn ratio in MM patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we measured serum Cu, Zn levelsin selected 21 patients that had MM diagnosis for the first time. In 18 MM patientthe controls of these parameters were evaluated after the therapy. Also in thesepatients the parameters (such as sedim, LDH, CRP, β 2 Microglobulin) that haveprognostic value in MM were studied. We selected 18 healty volunteer controlgroup that have any diagnosed disease.RESULTS: Serum Zn levels were lower in patrients with MM (mean 98.9). Aftertherapy it is detected statistically significiant increase in serum Zn levels (mean109.7), (P <0.05). When we compare the MM patients with healty volunteer groupwe detected statistically significiant low levels of serum Zn in MM patients (mean60.6) than healty volunteer group (mean 78.4), (P< 0.05).CONCLUSION: It shows positive correlation when serum Zn levels werecorresponded with other haematologic parameters (such as LDH, CRP, β 2Microglobulin). Although serum Cu levels and Cu/Zn ratio is not sufficient todetermine the prognosis in MM patients, these parameters may be a guide to guessit.KEYWORDS: Multiple myeloma, Cu/Zn ratio, serum Cu, Zn levels