Clinical impact of trace elements as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of response to systemic treatment in gastrointestinal cancers

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal cancers are among the most common malignancies worldwide and, at advanced stages, remain incurable. Currently used biomarkers, such as tumour markers, have limited diagnostic value for early detection and relapse, highlighting the urgent need for more sensitive and specific markers. Trace elements are involved in numerous physiological and metabolic processes, and deregulation of their homeostasis is implicated in the carcinogenesis of various cancers, including gastrointestinal malignancies. Several basic and preclinical studies have identified the importance of trace elements in key biological processes. Recent clinical studies and retrospective analyses suggest that fluctuations in trace element levels may be associated with the development and progression of many cancers. Thus, quantitative and dynamic determination of serum trace element concentrations during treatment and follow-up represents a promising option for monitoring treatment efficacy and disease prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Trace elements may serve as potential prognostic and predictive biomarkers for diagnosis and response to systemic treatment.