title: Evaluation of Copper, Zinc, Cu/Zn, and VEGF in Patients with AML in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Copper and zinc are the elements with numerous physiological activities. Copper (Cu) has an important role in angiogenesis and acts by increasing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Serum levels of copper will be increased in cancer incidence, progression and recurrence. The aim of this study was to measure blood levels of copper, zinc, and the ratio of Cu /Zn, as well as VEGF levels before and after treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients who were recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML) in Shahid Ghazi Tabatabai oncology hospital enrolled in this clinical trial. On the first day, blood samples were taken for copper, zinc, and VEGF assay and flowcytometry. Treatment protocol was (7×3) regimen. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of copper, zinc, and VEGF. They were sent to Biochemistry Laboratory in medicine faculty for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amongst 30 AML patients, 14 (46.7%) were female and 16 (53.3%) were male. Patients of various ages ranged from 16 to 53 years, with a median age of 9.1±9.35 years. The mean serum level of copper, zinc, and mean Cu/Zn ratio before and after treatment showed significant difference (p<0.05) There was also significant difference between the mean VEGF level before and after treatment (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals that there is no significant relationship between copper, zinc serum levels, their ratio, and VEGF in AML patients. We hypothesize that increased serum copper is associated with increase of VEGF levels which can indicate the impact of copper in malignancies including AML.
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Sanaat
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Nouri
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Hajipour
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Dolatkhah
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Asvadi
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vaez
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Eivazi
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nikanfar
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Esfahani
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Chavoshi
authors: Department of Mathematic, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Biorani
keywords: Copper; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Zinc