Comparative analysis of anticancer properties of So and selenium nanoparticles in a thioacetamide-induced HCC model

Abstract

To date, there is no effective and at the same time less toxic therapeutic option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the second cause of death in the world. Known drugs for the treatment of cancer lead to the development of primary or acquired resistance and progression of the disease. One of the well-known first-line drugs for the treatment of liver and kidney cancer is So. However, it has poor solubility, the need for high doses with the resulting complications for healthy tissues and organs. In the last decade, the anticancer properties of selenium nanoparticles have been actively studied, including for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, in this work, a comprehensive comparative analysis of the anticancer properties of So and selenium nanoparticles is carried out on a model of thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. The results of the analysis showed that selenium nanoparticles, along with So, have pronounced anti-inflammatory properties and are involved in the activation of protective mechanisms by suppressing tumor markers and HCC-associated signaling pathways. Based on the results of the comparative analysis, we identified some advantages in the effectiveness of selenium nanoparticles in mitigating the effects of HCC compared to So.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Selenium nanoparticles; So.