Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Selenium and Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Despoina Sidira1, Angeliki Siafaka2, Dimosthenis Chrysikos3
1Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. despinasidirag@gmail.com.
Background:
The deadliest, most dangerous subtype of breast cancer is triple-negative, which lacks treatment targets and accounts for 30% of all breast cancer-related deaths worldwide. TNBC is characterized by the expression of no estrogen, progesterone, or human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors. This suggests that new treatment modalities with fewer adverse effects are required.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of selenium compounds as an adjuvant therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), either on their own or in conjunction with nutritional supplements and chemotherapy medications.
Methods:
Using the keywords "selenium" and "triple negative breast cancer", a thorough search was conducted in the PubMed database, yielding 23 articles. The following factors were taken into consideration for inclusion: studies using TNBC cell culture lines or in vivo tumors/specimens; full-text articles from the PubMed database; studies published in the English language; experiments with statistically significant results; and selenium used alone or in combination with other antioxidants or chemotherapy. This led to the evaluation of 13 articles in this review.
Results:
The results show that selenium therapy increased the anti-cancer drug's effects and produced tumor cytotoxicity, while reducing the cellular features of the cancer (hyperproliferation, growth, and metastasis).
Discussion:
This study evaluated the various selenium compounds tested, the cell lines and model organisms used, the assays performed, and the cellular pathways affected.
Conclusion:
Examining the possible benefits of selenium in TNBC treatment highlights the need for more studies to confirm selenium compounds as viable co-therapeutic agents.
Insights
Selenium compounds show promise as an adjuvant therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This research indicates selenium enhances chemotherapy effectiveness and reduces cancer cell growth and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, contributing significantly to breast cancer mortality.
- TNBC is defined by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
- Current treatment limitations underscore the need for therapeutic modalities with improved safety profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential of selenium compounds as an adjunct treatment for TNBC.
- To evaluate selenium's efficacy alone and in combination with nutritional supplements and chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed using keywords "selenium" and "triple negative breast cancer".
- Inclusion criteria involved studies on TNBC cell lines or in vivo models, published in English, with statistically significant results.
- Thirteen relevant articles were selected and reviewed for their findings on selenium's effects.
Main Results:
- Selenium therapy demonstrated synergistic effects with anti-cancer drugs, enhancing their efficacy.
- Selenium compounds exhibited significant tumor cytotoxicity, reducing cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
- Observed effects included a reduction in hyperproliferation and invasive characteristics of TNBC cells.
Conclusions:
- The review assessed various selenium compounds, experimental models, and affected cellular pathways in TNBC.
- Preliminary findings suggest selenium compounds may offer benefits as co-therapeutic agents in TNBC treatment.
- Further research is warranted to validate selenium compounds as effective adjunct therapies for TNBC.
