Serum copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and gastric cancer risk: a case-control study.

We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the association between serum levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and the risk of gastric cancer. Cases were 214 patients who had been diagnosed with gastric cancer and controls were 120 persons who underwent medical checkups. Serum levels of Cu/Zn SOD were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the lowest quartile, the OR (odds ratio) was 4.54 (95% CI (confidence interval), 1.62 - 12.66) for the third quartile and 15.75 (95% CI, 5.84 - 42.46) for the highest quartile. With both early and advanced cancers, as well as with the intestinal and diffuse types, a significant increase in risk was observed with increasing levels of serum Cu/Zn SOD. Our case-control study showed that serum levels of Cu/Zn SOD were significantly elevated in gastric cancer patients compared with apparently healthy controls, and higher Cu/Zn SOD levels may be associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer.