Abstrakt
The latest research outcomes indicate that metallothionein (MT) levels in blood and serum from cancer patients can provide information about type or clinical stage of the disease, or response to therapy. MT plays a key role in transport of essential heavy metals, detoxification of toxic metals and protection of cells against oxidation stress.
Serum MT levels of cancer patients are three times higher than control patients. The elevated MT levels in cancer cells are probably related to their proliferation and protection against apoptosis.
Automated electrochemical detection of MT allows its serial analysis in a very small volume with excellent sensitivity, reliability and reproducibility and therefore it can be considered as a new tool for cancer diagnosis.