Measurement of Nickel and Mercury Concentrations in serum Samples of Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most dangerous cancers in the world. Early diagnosis of the disease contributes to improved
treatment. Many genetic, environmental and occupational factors are associated with the occurrence of this disease. The
present study aims to use clinical data of LC patients along with spectroscopic and biochemical parameters for potential
use as diagnostic biomarkers for LC. The present study consists of statistical analysis and experimental studies on lung
cancer patients. The patient's medical reports and serum were collected for physical and chemical analysis using different
spectroscopic techniques. Forty-five lung cancer patients and 70 healthy individuals participated in the study. The
separated serum from all samples was analyzed using different spectroscopic techniques, including Fourier transform
attenuated total reflectance and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results of AAS spectroscopy showed that the
serum of nickel was higher than that of healthy females (1.853±0.301 ppb) while it was 1.58±0.604 in healthy individuals.
The serum mercury concentration was also higher in the patient group (5.646±0.86 ppb) compared to healthy controls
(4.945±0.67), and there was statistical significance for the difference in levels.