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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Assessing Specificity of Anticancer Drugs In Vitro
Published on: March 23, 2016
Anticancer Activity of Selenium Nanoparticles In Vitro Studies
Fernando Martínez-Esquivias1, Melva Gutiérrez-Angulo2, Alejandro Pérez-Larios3
1Instituto de Investigación en Biociencias, Centro Universitario de Los Altos, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, México.
Abstract:
Health systems worldwide consider cancer a disease that causes the highest number of deaths per year. The low efficacy of current cancer therapies has led other areas of science to search for new alternatives, including nanomaterial sciences. Selenium nanoparticles have anticancer activity, as revealed by in vitro tests performed on prostate, breast, cervical, lung, colorectal, and liver cancer cell lines. Studies attribute anticancer activity to the anti-metastatic effect due to the inhibition of migration and invasion processes. The antiproliferative effect is the low expression of molecules such as cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK2. In addition to the activation of cell apoptosis by caspase-dependent mechanisms, there is a low expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and a high expression of the apoptotic proteins like Bax and Bad. Other studies attribute anticancer activity to the activation of cell necroptosis, where molecules such as TNF and IRF1 participate. The pharmacological potential of selenium nanoparticles depends primarily on the administered dose, particle size, and chemical composition. Furthermore, several studies have shown that the administration of these nanoparticles is safe due to their low toxicity in non-cancerous cells. In this review, the most relevant antecedents on the anticancer potential of selenium nanoparticles in prostate, breast, cervical, lung, liver, and colorectal cancer cell lines are discussed.
Insights
Selenium nanoparticles show significant anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines, including prostate and breast cancer. These nanoparticles offer a promising, low-toxicity alternative for cancer therapy by inhibiting metastasis and promoting cell death.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterial sciences
- Cancer research
Background:
- Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, driving the search for novel therapies.
- Current cancer treatments have limitations, necessitating exploration of alternative approaches.
- Nanomaterial sciences offer potential new avenues for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anticancer potential of selenium nanoparticles.
- To discuss their efficacy across various cancer cell lines.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying their anticancer effects.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing on prostate, breast, cervical, lung, colorectal, and liver cancer cell lines.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms including anti-metastatic, anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and necroptotic pathways.
- Review of existing literature on selenium nanoparticle efficacy and safety.
Main Results:
- Selenium nanoparticles exhibit anticancer activity in vitro across multiple cancer types.
- Mechanisms include inhibition of migration and invasion, antiproliferative effects, and induction of apoptosis and necroptosis.
- Pharmacological potential is influenced by dose, size, and composition.
- Selenium nanoparticles demonstrate low toxicity in non-cancerous cells.
Conclusions:
- Selenium nanoparticles represent a promising therapeutic strategy for various cancers.
- Their safety profile and multifaceted mechanisms of action warrant further investigation.
- Further research into dose, size, and composition optimization is crucial for clinical translation.
