Metals are known for playing essential roles in human physiology.
Copper and
zinc are
trace elements closely dependent on one another and are involved in cell proliferation, growth, gene expression, apoptosis and other processes. Their homeostasis is crucial and tightly controlled by a resourceful system of transporters and
transport proteins which deliver
copper and
zinc ions to their target sites. Abnormal
zinc and
copper homeostasis can be seen in a number of
malignancies and also in
head and neck cancer. Imbalance in this homeostasis is observed as an elevation or decrease of
copper and
zinc ions in serum or tissue levels in patients with
cancer. In
head and neck cancer these altered levels stand out from those of other
malignancies which makes them an object of interest and therefore
zinc and
copper ions might be a good target for further research of
head and neck cancer development and progression. This review aims to summarize the physiological roles of
copper and
zinc, its binding and transport mechanisms, and based on those, its role in
head and neck cancer. To provide stronger evidence, dysregulation of levels is analysed by a meta-analytical approach.