Copper and zinc levels in serum from human patients with sarcomas.

Serum copper levels (SCL) and serum zinc levels (SZL) were evaluated in 19 patients with sarcomas, 12 of which were osteosarcomas at various stages. Patients with primary or metastatic osteosarcoma had elevated SCL, whereas amputated osteosarcoma patients who were clinically tumor-free had nearly normal SCL. Patients with primary osteosarcoma had elevated SZL, those with metastases had depressed zinc levels, and amputated patients who were clinically tumor-free and nearly normal SZL. Thus, the ratio of SCL:SZL in metastatic osteosarcoma patients is higher than in patients with primary osteosarcoma. SCL and SZL are compared to clinical histories for selected patients. Patients with the more advanced disease and poorest prognoses had the most elevated SCL and highest SCL:SZL ratios. It appears that the determination of SCL and SZL in osteosarcoma patients may be of value in prognosis and therapy evaluation; furthermore, the ratio of SCL:SZL may be useful in discriminating between patients with primary and metastatic osteosarcoma.