Selenium and Breast Cancer Risk: Focus on Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nutritional Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is a vital micronutrient with demonstrated preclinical efficacy in inhibiting mammary carcinogenesis.
• Epidemiological evidence regarding Se's role in breast cancer is inconclusive, and intervention studies are scarce.
• Understanding Se's multifaceted effects is crucial for its clinical application in breast cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the chemoprotective, chemopreventive, and chemotherapeutic effects of Selenium (Se) in breast cancer.
• To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Se's actions in breast cancer.
• To highlight emerging aspects of Se's role, including genetic and epigenetic factors, and early-life exposure.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical, epidemiological, and intervention studies on Selenium (Se) and breast cancer.
• Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms of Se action, including antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, and anti-invasive pathways.
• Synthesis of recent findings on genetic polymorphisms, selenoprotein functions, epigenetics, and early-life exposure impacts.

Main Results:

• Selenium (Se) exhibits protective effects via antioxidant activity, apoptosis induction, and inhibition of DNA damage, proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasion.
• Emerging research highlights the influence of genetic variations on Se metabolism and response.
• New insights include novel selenoprotein functions, epigenetic modulation, and the long-term effects of early-life Se exposure on breast cancer risk.

Conclusions:

• Selenium (Se) possesses significant potential for breast cancer prevention and treatment, mediated by diverse molecular mechanisms.
• Incorporating factors like genetic background and early-life exposure is essential for future Se-based interventions.
• Further well-designed intervention studies are warranted to validate Se's efficacy in human breast cancer.