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High selenium, nickel levels linked to decreased pancreatic cancer risk

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Individuals with higher concentrations of the trace elements selenium and nickel had a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a study.

Investigators also found that subjects with the highest levels of arsenic, cadmium or lead had an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Researchers in Spain examined 118 subjects with exocrine pancreatic cancer and 399 healthy controls, using toenail samples to determine levels of 12 trace elements. The risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer increased significantly among subjects with concentrations of cadmium (OR=3.58; 95% CI, 1.86-6.88), arsenic (OR=2.02; 95% CI, 1.08-3.78) and lead (OR=6.26; 95% CI, 2.71-14.47).

The risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer was inversely associated with high concentrations of selenium (OR=0.05; 95% CI, 0.02-0.15) and nickel (OR=0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.59).

“These novel findings, if replicated in independent studies, would point to an important role of trace elements in pancreatic carcinogenesis,” the study authors wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.