[Clinical study on serum copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio in malignant lymphoma].

173 simultaneous determinations of serum copper level (SCL), serum zinc level (SZL) and copper/zinc ratio (CZR) were made by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 51 previously untreated lymphoma patients. SCL and CZR were significantly higher in patients before treatment (mean value 146.33 micrograms/dl, 1.55) and in those who did not reach complete remission (mean 135.29 micrograms/dl, 1.36) as compared with the patients in complete remission (mean 104.30 micrograms/dl, 1.06) or normal controls (mean 99.82 micrograms/dl, 0.98). The mean value of SCL and CZR of patients in complete remission did not differ significantly from those of normal controls. Patients in stages III and IV had higher SCL and CZR (mean 160.22 micrograms/dl, 1.79) than those in Stages I and II (mean 122.95 micrograms/dl, 1.16). No significant difference was observed in SZL between the patients groups and normal controls. Thus, SCL and CZR may be used as prognostic indicators for monitoring disease activity and response to therapy in malignant lymphoma.