While advances in screening and treatment have improved outcomes, there is still a need for better biomarkers to monitor disease progression and response to treatment. Hepcidin is a protein that is produced in the liver and regulates iron. Breast cancer is closely related to altered iron metabolism. It is generally accepted that breast cancer has variable iron requirements due to rapid proliferation and high energy demands.

A recent study provided insights on the use of hepcidin as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for breast cancer. Higher hepcidin levels have been observed in breast cancer patients compared to healthy individuals, suggesting a possible relationship between hepcidin and breast cancer development. In the advanced stages of cancer, the tumor requires more nutrients and minerals, including iron. To sustain the rapid proliferation of cancer cells, this may lead to the stimulation of the inflammatory response and an increase in hepcidin levels. Furthermore, high hepcidin level has also been linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, as it was associated with increased tumor size, higher grade tumors, and a more aggressive disease course. The study measured hepcidin levels at diagnosis, before any treatment was initiated, to predict which patients might recurrence based on hepcidin values. This study also assessed the correlation between hepcidin levels and a commonly used breast cancer biomarker, the cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), and one of the potential regulators of hepcidin in cancers, the C-reactive protein (CRP).

While the study had limitations, it was still found that serum hepcidin levels at the time of breast cancer diagnosis may serve as a potential predictive indicator of disease severity, prognosis, recurrence, and overall survival. Elevated levels indicated increased recurrence risk and decreased overall survival. Patients can discuss with their doctor about the role of serum hepcidin level at the time of breast cancer diagnosis.

Reference: Douba et al. Serum Hepcidin Levels in Breast Cancer Patients: Investigating the Correlation to Tumor Stage—A Cross-Sectional Study. Health Science Reports 2025;8:e71148. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71148.