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<p>Environmental exposure to heavy metals such as cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, yet few studies have quantified their levels directly in tumor tissues, particularly in North African populations. In this study, we measured Co, Pb, and Zn concentrations in paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue biopsies from 73 Tunisian patients with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), including squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity. Metal levels were determined using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS). Analyses compared tumor and normal tissues while exploring associations with patient demographics, smoking status, occupational exposure, and tumor stage. We observed significantly higher concentrations of Co, Pb, and Zn in tumor tissues (0.06, 0.08 and 32.25&#xa0;µg/g, respectively) compared to matched normal tissues (Zn = 15.06&#xa0;µg/g); Co and Pb were often undetectable in healthy samples. Although metal levels tended to be higher in men and tobacco users, these differences were not statistically significant. Notably, cobalt levels varied significantly across nodal tumor stages, with N1 tumors exhibiting the highest concentrations. Moreover, lead levels varied slightly but significantly across T classifications, while Zn showed no stage-dependent differences. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between age and tumoral Zn concentration (Spearman’s rho =  − 0.26, <i>p</i> = 0.024). These findings provide the first comprehensive evidence, both in a Tunisian cohort and globally, that Co, Pb, and Zn accumulate in tumor tissues across multiple UADT sites. The results highlight a potential role for these metals in tumor biology and suggest they may serve as biomarkers or contribute to carcinogenic mechanisms in UADT cancers, warranting further investigation in larger populations and mechanistic studies.</p>

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Quantification of cobalt, lead and zinc in paired tumor-normal biopsies from Tunisian upper aerodigestive tract cancer patients

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月29日

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  • Rim Khlifi,
  • Fatma Trabelsi,
  • Amine Chakroun,
  • Boutheina Hammami,
  • Amel Hamza-Chaffai

摘要

Environmental exposure to heavy metals such as cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, yet few studies have quantified their levels directly in tumor tissues, particularly in North African populations. In this study, we measured Co, Pb, and Zn concentrations in paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue biopsies from 73 Tunisian patients with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), including squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity. Metal levels were determined using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS). Analyses compared tumor and normal tissues while exploring associations with patient demographics, smoking status, occupational exposure, and tumor stage. We observed significantly higher concentrations of Co, Pb, and Zn in tumor tissues (0.06, 0.08 and 32.25 µg/g, respectively) compared to matched normal tissues (Zn = 15.06 µg/g); Co and Pb were often undetectable in healthy samples. Although metal levels tended to be higher in men and tobacco users, these differences were not statistically significant. Notably, cobalt levels varied significantly across nodal tumor stages, with N1 tumors exhibiting the highest concentrations. Moreover, lead levels varied slightly but significantly across T classifications, while Zn showed no stage-dependent differences. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between age and tumoral Zn concentration (Spearman’s rho =  − 0.26, p = 0.024). These findings provide the first comprehensive evidence, both in a Tunisian cohort and globally, that Co, Pb, and Zn accumulate in tumor tissues across multiple UADT sites. The results highlight a potential role for these metals in tumor biology and suggest they may serve as biomarkers or contribute to carcinogenic mechanisms in UADT cancers, warranting further investigation in larger populations and mechanistic studies.