Abstract
The chemotherapy and photon radiotherapy are the most often applied methods in treatment of the cancer diseases because of their effectiveness and high cure rates. Apart from eligible destruction of the tumour, one of the side effects of these treatment methods is possible modification of main and trace element concentration in different human tissues and fluids. In this paper, the copper (Cu) level in human serum was determined by total reflection X-ray fluorescence method in 142 chemotherapy patients and in 44 healthy persons being a control group. The Cu concentration in the chemotherapy group was found to be on the level 1.78 ± 0.909 mg/L, while in the control group, it was 1.08 ± 0.551 mg/L. Performed measurements allowed for calculation of the parameters of copper concentration distribution (mean value, standard deviation, median) for both analysed groups. The theoretical nature of the concentration distribution was tested and found as a log-normal distribution (control group) and a log-stable distribution (chemotherapy group). The copper concentration distributions for both studied group were statistically compared using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and the conclusion was that the distributions are statistically different. Serum Cu levels were significantly higher in the chemotherapy group than in the control group. Taking into account the results for the control group, the copper concentration reference quantile ranges in human serum were obtained. The values of the mean, median and other quantiles determined in this case can be applied in two-group comparison studies. The obtained results can be used as a diagnostic tool for chemotherapy patients.
Highlights
The contents of trace elements in biomedical samples are of great interest for biology, medicine and environmental sciences
In performed systematic investigations of copper concentration in human serum samples by using the total reflection X-ray fluorescence method, taking into account a large number of analysed samples, it will be possible to describe the nature of these distributions, and several important methodological aspects related to copper concentration distributions can be addressed
It was observed that the group of chemotherapy patients is characterized by higher values of all parameters compared to the control group
Summary
The contents of trace elements in biomedical samples are of great interest for biology, medicine and environmental sciences. Studies on the concentration of trace elements in biomedical samples have been performed by application of one of the most known techniques, namely the total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) method [2]. The main aim of this presented study is a wide and systematic analysis of element concentration in different human biological materials (serum, hair, tissue) of radiotherapy and chemotherapy patients, and application of obtained results in formulating a general observation which can be used as a tool for monitoring the treatment process. In performed systematic investigations of copper concentration in human serum samples by using the total reflection X-ray fluorescence method, taking into account a large number of analysed samples, it will be possible to describe the nature of these distributions, and several important methodological aspects related to copper concentration distributions can be addressed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
