Potential pathways of zinc deficiency-promoted tumorigenesis

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Jan:133:110983. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110983. Epub 2020 Nov 12.

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is the second most abundant necessary trace element in the human body. It is reported that zinc deficiency (ZD) promotes many types of cancer progression through multiple signal pathways. It is well known that oxidative stress, DNA damage, DNA repair, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, metabolic alterations, microRNAs abnormal expression, and inflammation level are closely related to cancer development. Cumulative evidence suggests that ZD influences these biological functions. This review explores the latest advances in understanding the role of ZD in tumorigenesis. Fully comprehending the potential mechanisms of ZD-induced tumors may provide novel clues for prevention and clinical treatment of cancers.

Keywords: Inflammation; MicroRNAs; Trace element; Tumorigenesis; Zinc deficiency.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / pathology
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Repair
  • Deficiency Diseases / complications*
  • Deficiency Diseases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Signal Transduction
  • Zinc / deficiency*

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • MicroRNAs
  • Zinc