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Selenium-Based Strategies for Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Breast Cancer: A Review

Hubert Bajer1, Klementyna Kupisz1, Szymon Jóźwiak1

  • 1Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Selenium compounds show promise in fighting drug-resistant breast cancer by inhibiting cell growth through multiple mechanisms. These therapies offer a potential adjunct to conventional treatments with low toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a significant global health issue.
  • Drug resistance and chemotherapy side effects necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Selenium is an essential micronutrient with demonstrated anticancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of selenium compounds against drug-resistant breast cancer cells.
  • To highlight experimental findings on selenium's efficacy.
  • To discuss selenium's potential as an adjunct therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on selenium compounds and breast cancer.
  • Analysis of experimental data on selenium's effects on cancer cell lines.
  • Examination of selenium's biochemical and cellular mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Selenium compounds exhibit anticancer activity in various models, including resistant breast cancer cells.
  • Mechanisms include redox balance modulation, apoptosis induction, and signaling pathway interference.
  • Selenium compounds possess high specificity, low toxicity, and good cell permeability.

Conclusions:

  • Selenium-based therapies show potential for overcoming breast cancer drug resistance.
  • These compounds can be explored as complementary treatments to conventional chemotherapy.
  • Further research into selenium's role in precision medicine for breast cancer is warranted.
Keywords:
breast cancerdoxorubicinpaclitaxelselenium compoundtamoxifentrastuzumab

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