Antitumor effects of sodium selenite on acute lymphocytic leukemia

Selenium is obligatory for proper functioning of body as it is the part of enzyme protection system. Its both organic and inorganic forms are thought to be active as an antitumor agent. We trialed the different dosages (0 × 10⁶ M, 2.7 × 10⁶ M, 5.4 × 10⁶ M, and 8.1 × 10⁶ M) of sodium selenite given to the acute lymphocytic leukemia cell lines incubated for 24, 48, and 72 h. The ratios of dead cells to live cells when treated with sodium selenite were very high as compared to the control with no treatment. This dosage-dependent apoptosis increased with the incubation time.