Positive Health Online

Abstract

Zeng H and  Combs GF Jr, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, P. O. Box 9034, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9034, USA. hzeng@gfhnrc.ars.usda.gov  [Review] [77 References] current knowledge regarding selenium and its anticancer effects.

Background

Selenium is an essential dietary component for animals including humans, and there is increasing evidence for the efficacy of certain forms of selenium as cancer-chemopreventive compounds.

Methodology

Results

Selenium appears to have a protective effect at various stages of carcinogenesis including both the early and later stages of cancer progression. Mechanisms for selenium-anticancer action are not fully understood; however, several have been proposed: antioxidant protection, enhanced carcinogen detoxification, enhanced immune surveillance, modulation of cell proliferation (cell cycle and apoptosis), inhibition of tumour cell invasion and inhibition of angiogenesis. Research has shown that the effectiveness of selenium compounds as chemopreventive agents in vivo correlates with their abilities to affect the regulation of the cell cycle, to stimulate apoptosis and to inhibit tumour cell migration and invasion in vitro.

Conclusion

This article reviews the status of knowledge concerning selenium metabolism and its anticancer effects with particular reference to the modulation of cell proliferation and the inhibition of tumour cell invasion. [References: 77]

References

Zeng H and  Combs GF Jr. Selenium as an anticancer nutrient: roles in cell proliferation and tumour cell invasion.  Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 19(1):1-7, Jan 2008.