Therapeutic Potential of Selenium and Selenium Compounds in Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a common female cancer. It is strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to induce cervical cancer because its development is dependent on the coexistence of several factors that enable the virus to overcome the host immune system. These include individual genetic background, environmental factors, or diet, including dietary selenium intake. Selenium is an essential trace element with antiviral properties and has been shown to exert antitumor effects. Surprisingly, the role of selenium in cervical cancer has not been studied as intensively as in other cancers. Here, we have summarized the existing experimental data on selenium and cervical cancer. It may be helpful in evaluating the role of this nutrient in treatment of the mentioned malignancy as well as in planning further studies in this area.

Keywords: HPV; cervical cancer; selenium; selenium compounds.

Figure 1.

Mechanisms of action investigated in studies on Se compounds effects in cervical cancer cells. Organic Se compounds are indicated in green, inorganic Se compound is indicated in blue, Se nanoparticles are indicated in purple. AIF, Apoptosis Inducing Factor; AKT, Protein Kinase B; Bad, Bcl-2 Associated Agonist of Cell Death; Bak, Bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist/killer; Bax, Bcl-2-like protein 4; Bcl-2, B-cell lymphoma 2; DDT, D-dopachrome Tautomerase; DOX, Doxorubicin; ERK, Extracellular Regulated Kinase; HA, Hyaluronic Acid; hnRNP A2/B1, Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A2/B1; MeSeA, Methylseleninic Acid; MeSeCys, Methylselenocysteine; PARP, Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase; Prx2a, Peroxiredoxin 2a; Prx4, Peroxiredoxin 4; Prx6, Peroxiredoxin 6; PTX, Paclitaxel; ROS, Reactive Oxygen Species; SA, Sialic Acid; SBP1, Selenium Binding Protein 1; SeMet, Selenomethione; SE-NPs, Selenium Nanoparticles; SOD1, Superoxide Dismutase 1; Ub, Ubiquitin. 13,17,20-21,34-35,37, 41.