Toxic Metal and Essential Element Concentrations in the Blood and Tissues of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients.

This study revealed evidence of altered metal levels in the blood and pancreatic tissues of PDAC patients with respect to healthy controls. These changes may contribute to multiple mechanisms involved in metal-induced carcinogenesis, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, genetic alteration, decreased antioxidant barriers and inflammatory responses. Thus, the analysis of metals can be used in the diagnosis and monitoring of PDAC neoplasms.