The chemopreventive role of selenium in carcinogenesis

This review discusses the effect of selenium intake on chemical carcinogenesis in animal models. Specifically, the available information in the following areas is summarized: the dose response of selenium intake ranging from deficiency to supranutritional levels of supplementation, the stage specificity of selenium-mediated inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis, the effect of selenium on carcinogen metabolism and DNA adduct formation, and dietary factors (vitamins A, C, and E) that influence the anticarcinogenic efficacy of selenium.