Therapeutic effect of trace elements on multiple myeloma and mechanisms of cancer process

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2023-09, Vol.179, p.113983-113983, Article 113983
• Main Authors: Jahankhani, Kasra, Taghipour, Niloofar, Mashhadi Rafiee, Mohammad, Nikoonezhad, Maryam, Mehdizadeh, Mahshid, Mosaffa, Nariman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Multiple myeloma; Oxidative stress; Trace element
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113983

In the human body, trace elements and other micronutrients play a vital role in growth, health and immune system function. The trace elements are Iron, Manganese, Copper, Iodine, Zinc, Cobalt, Fluoride, and Selenium. Estimating the serum levels of trace elements in hematologic malignancy patients can determine the severity of the tumor. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematopoietic malignancy and is characterized by plasma cell clonal expansion in bone marrow. Despite the advances in treatment methods, myeloma remains largely incurable. In addition to conventional medicine, treatment is moving toward less expensive noninvasive alternatives. One of the alternative treatments is the use of dietary supplements. In this review, we focused on the effect of three trace elements including iron, zinc and selenium on important mechanisms such as the immune system, oxidative and antioxidant factors and cell cycle. Using some trace minerals in combination with approved drugs can increase patients' recovery speed. Trace elements can be used as not only a preventive but also a therapeutic tool, especially in reducing inflammation in hematological cancers such as multiple myeloma. We hope that the prospect of the correct use of trace element supplements in the future could be promising for the treatment of diseases. •Trace element levels in body tissues provide different profiles of malignant tumors.•Zinc with reducing oxidative stress eventually reduces the risk of developing cancer.•Proliferation of human MM cells was inhibited by Ebselen.•Bortezomib in combination with iron interferes with MM progression.