Significance of Copper/Zinc Ratio in Diagnosis for Recurrent Breast Cancer

Serum zinc （Zn） and copper （Cu） levels were determined in 40 patients who were radically treated for breast carcinoma. Markedly higher serum Cu and lower Zn were observed （P＜0.05） and the serum Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in recurrent group as compared to non-recurrent group （P＜0.001）. In the diagnosis for breast cancer recurrence, at a cutoff value of 1.54, Cu/Zn ratio had a sensitivity of 69%, specificity of 85% and diagnostic index of 0.54. when Cu/Zn ratio was combined with serum carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）, the aforementioned values were 91%, 75% and 0.66 respectively. It is suggested that serum Cu/Zn ratio, especially when combined with CEA, may be a helpful marker for the diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence.