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Updated: May 21, 2026
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A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Selenium and prostate cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis
Rachel Hurst1, Lee Hooper, Teresa Norat
1Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|June 1, 2012
Summary
Selenium may reduce prostate cancer risk, particularly with higher blood or toenail levels. However, more research is needed in populations with low selenium intake to confirm these findings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a significant and increasing global health concern.
- Existing research on selenium's protective role against prostate cancer is inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze evidence linking selenium intake and status to prostate cancer risk.
- To clarify the relationship between selenium levels and the likelihood of developing prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, and prospective cohort studies.
- Searched the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research database up to September 2010.
- Utilized nonlinear dose-response meta-analyses to assess the association between selenium status and prostate cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Included 12 studies with 13,254 participants and 5007 prostate cancer cases.
- Found that higher plasma/serum selenium levels (up to 170 ng/mL) were associated with decreased prostate cancer risk.
- Identified a significant reduction in prostate cancer risk (RR: 0.29) with toenail selenium concentrations between 0.85-0.94 μg/g.
Conclusions:
- Selenium status appears inversely related to prostate cancer risk within the studied range.
- Further investigation is necessary, especially in populations with naturally low selenium levels.
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