Copper and Zinc Concentration in the Plasma of Leukaemic Children

Abstract

S ummary . The concentrations of copper and zinc have been measured in the plasma of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia before and after treatment, and compared with healthy controls. The plasma copper concentrations were higher and the plasma zinc concentrations lower for the untreated leukaemic children than for the other two groups. The concentrations of both metals were altered after treatment to values approaching the normal range. The plasma copper: zinc ratio discriminated well between the untreated leukaemic children and the other two groups. This ratio might prove useful in monitoring the response to treatment.