Zinc is a vital nutrient for human health. Over 300 biological functions in the human body rely on zinc. Study published recently in the online version of European Journal of Cancer Prevention (Print version to be released-September 2016 - Volume 25 - Issue 5 - p 457–461) reviewed the current available research data and epidemiological and clinical evidence on the role of zinc in human cancer prevention and treatment. Results of the study shows that zinc could play an important role in the physiology and pathology of pancreas, and prostate and mammary glands.

To date, more than 5000 studies with the keywords ‘zinc’ and ‘cancer’ have been indexed in the Web of Knowledge portal. Although the numbers of papers have increased 2.5–fold during the last decade, these vast research data have not generated a single recommendation for the incorporation of zinc use in cancer prevention and treatment.

The pancreas, and prostate and mammary glands are secretory tissues that have unusual zinc requirements; they tightly regulate zinc metabolism through integration of zinc import, sequestration, and export mechanisms. This suggests that zinc could play an important role in the physiology and pathology of these organs. This detailed review warrants further research into the role of Zinc in prevention of cancers.

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