Se₂Mo₁₀V₃, a heteropoly compound containing selenium, inhibits tumor growth

Selenium compounds have strong anti-tumor effects and are well-tolerated. We examined the anti-tumor effects of (NH₄)₂H₁₅Se₂^VIMo₁₀V₃O₅₂·2H₂O (Se₂Mo₁₀V₃₎, a heteropoly compound containing selenium. Se₂Mo₁₀V₃ inhibited proliferation in K562 cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 78.72±2.82 mg/L after 48 h and 24.94±0.88 mg/L after 72 h. Typical apoptotic morphologies were also observed in K562 cells treated with Se₂Mo₁₀V₃, as were increased intracellular levels of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, H⁺, and reactive oxygen species, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, Se₂Mo₁₀V₃ treatment triggered cytochrome C release and inhibited IκBα degradation and NF-κB translocation. In vivo experiments revealed that 5 or 10 mg/kg Se₂Mo₁₀V₃ inhibited the growth of sarcoma 180 and hepatoma 22 xenograft tumors. These results indicate that Se₂Mo₁₀V₃ inhibits tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo and induces apoptosis in K562 cells, possibly by inhibiting the NF-κB/IκBα pathway.