Selenium as an anticancerogenic agent.

Abstract

Selenium is an essential component of the intracellular antioxidant system, which defends the cell and the whole organism against oxidative damage and so from oxidative disease, especially from cancer. Selenium may be considered as an anticancerogenic agent, and a higher concentration of selenium in plasma may be a protective factor against human malignancies. It is also interesting to note that higher doses of selenium, applied to patients simultaneously with chemotherapy, may lower the toxicity of antineoplasm drugs without weakening the therapeutic effect.