Metallic trace elements in pancreatic tissue are associated with higher risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma - METAPANDA study

Abstract

Objectives: Few recent studies have indicated the possible involvement of some metallic trace element (MTE), commonly known as heavy metals, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To evaluate the potential role of MTE in PDAC onset, we compared concentrations of 23 MTE in healthy pancreas tissue close to the tumor, from patients who underwent pancreatic surgery for PDAC in cases group and for neuroendocrine or other lesion for controls.

Methods: Samples were taken from paraffin-embedded pancreatectomy blocks of 33 PDAC cases and 29 controls. Concentrations of 23 MTE were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results: In multivariate analysis, associations were found between risk of PDAC and higher tissue concentration of antimony (OR 6.31, 95 % CI 2.06-29.03; p = 0.006), thallium (OR 3.23, 95 % CI 1.35-12.07; p = 0.033) arsenic (OR 2.96, 95 % CI 1.22-10.10; p = 0.04) and lead (OR 2.27, 95 % CI 1.13-5.77; p = 0.044).

Conclusions: This pilot study presents unpublished information about a large set of MTE in pancreatic tissues, confirming the possible involvement of arsenic and lead in PDAC onset and highlighting the potential role of antimony and thallium which have never been implicated before.

Keywords: Antimony; Arsenic; Heavy metal; Pancreatic cancer; Thallium.