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Selenium and cancer: a review

G N Schrauzer

    Bioinorganic Chemistry
    |January 1, 1976
    PubMed

    Insights

    Selenium supplementation, even in subtoxic amounts, significantly reduces spontaneous mammary tumors in mice. However, arsenic, a selenium antagonist, while lowering tumor incidence, accelerates tumor growth in affected animals.

    Area of Science:

    • Nutritional Biochemistry
    • Oncology
    • Toxicology

    Background:

    • Selenium is an essential trace element known to inhibit chemically induced tumors in animal models.
    • Previous research indicates a potential role for selenium in cancer prevention.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of subtoxic selenium (selenite) on spontaneous mammary tumor incidence in female C3H mice.
    • To evaluate the impact of arsenic (arsenite), a selenium antagonist, on tumor incidence and growth rates.

    Main Methods:

    • Administration of subtoxic amounts of selenite in drinking water to female C3H mice.
    • Administration of arsenite in drinking water at 10 ppm to assess its effects.
    • Monitoring tumor incidence, growth rates, animal health, and lifespan.

    Main Results:

    • Selenite supplementation significantly lowered the incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors without adverse effects on health or lifespan.
    • Arsenite administration also reduced tumor incidence but dramatically accelerated tumor growth in mice that developed tumors.
    • Epidemiological data suggest lower human cancer mortality in regions with adequate dietary selenium intake.

    Conclusions:

    • Subtoxic selenium intake can be a protective factor against spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis.
    • Arsenic's antagonistic effect on selenium highlights complex interactions influencing cancer progression.
    • Dietary selenium levels may correlate with reduced human cancer mortality, warranting further investigation.

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