Serum Biomarkers of Iron Status and Risk of Primary Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biomarkers #case-control-studies #humans #iron #iron-overload

Serum Biomarkers of Iron Status and Risk of Primary Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tran et al., 2019 | Nutr Cancer | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tran Kim Tu, Coleman Helen G, ... Cardwell Chris R. Serum Biomarkers of Iron Status and Risk of Primary Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutr Cancer. 2019;71(8):1365-1373. doi:10.1080/01635581.2019.1609053

Abstract

Hereditary hemochromatosis, a disease which causes iron overload, has been shown to increase liver cancer risk but the association between serum iron levels within non-hemochromatosis population and liver cancer risk is unclear. We investigated this association by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medline, Embase, and Scopus were searched to identify articles published up to January 2019. The search incorporated terms for liver cancer (hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma) and for serum iron (iron, ferritin, and transferrin). Briefly, nested case-control or cohort studies were included if they recorded a measure of iron, prior to diagnosis, and contained liver cancer patients and controls. Meta-analysis techniques were used to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and investigate heterogeneity between studies. Nine relevant studies were identified. There was evidence of an association between high serum ferritin and primary liver cancer risk (six studies, HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.13, 1.96) and high serum iron and primary liver cancer risk (three studies, HR 2.47 95% CI 1.31, 4.63). However, these associations were subject to heterogeneity (I2 = 62%, P = 0.02 and I2=80%, P = 0.007, respectively). In conclusion, we found some evidence that increased iron levels was associated with primary liver cancer. The cause of this association merits additional research.

Key Findings

The cause of this association merits additional research.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Iron Overload
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09