Perspectives on selenium anticarcinogenicity^†

Lecture presented 21st January 1986 at the 2nd IAEAC Workshop on Carcinogenic and/or Mutagenic Metal Compounds, Villars‐sur‐Ollon, Switzerland.

Although the earlier literature regarding selenium stressed its toxicity, especially its role in carcinogenesis, there is an increasingly held view that selenium is an essential trace element with antioxidant, anticarcinogenic (e.g., against colon, liver, and skin cancer in animals) and antimutagenic properties. A variety of malfunctions, heart diseases, and increased cancer risk have been connected with selenium deficiency. The role of selenium as a cofactor of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase as well as in the hepatic mixed function oxidase system is also recognized.

The focus of this presentation is to review the role of selenium in the inhibition of both the initiation and promotion phases of chemical carcinogenesis in animals and to assess human epidemiological studies that suggest a link between selenium and the incidence of certain types of human cancer.

Key words:

• Selenium
• essentiality
• inhibition of carcinogenesis
• epidemiology
• bioavailability
• dietary factors
• biochemistry
• enzymatic reactions
• antioxidant function
• glutathione
• metabolisms
• virally induced tumours
• risk factors
• vitamins

Notes

Lecture presented 21st January 1986 at the 2nd IAEAC Workshop on Carcinogenic and/or Mutagenic Metal Compounds, Villars‐sur‐Ollon, Switzerland.