Selenium action in neuro-oncology
Abstract
The trace element selenium and selenocysteine-carrying selenoproteins play a pivotal role in the brain.
Beside the essential function during development and maintenance of brain action, selenium has also been associated with several neurological and neuro-oncological conditions.
Reliable supply of selenium is important since selenium compounds can affect tumor microenvironment and neoangiogenesis in malignant gliomas (WHO grade III and IV [glioblastoma, GBM]) via induction of apoptosis and alteration of matrix metalloproteinases expression.
Here, we summarize recent findings focusing on the anti-toxicity and cancer-preventive properties of selenium and their implication in current multimodal therapies including temozolomide (Temodal), cyclophosphamide (Endoxan), and cisplatin (DDP, Platiblastin, and Platinol).
We shed light on unintended side effects in chemotherapy and the developments of novel combinatorial chemotherapeutics with selenium compounds.
We found that selenium and selenium compounds have dual action profiles with direct anti-cancer and chemotherapy-intensifier effects as well as neuroprotective and cytoprotective agents.
Current selenium trials and selenium supplementation with focus on neuro-oncology will be discussed with regard to low-adequate-to-high/toxic selenium status.
See also:
- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;
- The Di Bella Method (A Variable Part - Selenium methonine, 40 μg capsules, twice a day);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Calcium, 2 grams per day, orally);
- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- Publication, 2018 Jul: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2019 Aug: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of Somatostatin and Vitamin C on the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Cancer Cell Membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of somatostatin, curcumin, and quercetin on the fatty acid profile of breast cancer cell membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Bromocriptine and/or Cabergoline);
- About Melatonin - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- Publication: Melatonin anticancer effects: Review (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication: Key aspects of melatonin physiology: 30 years of research (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Solution of retinoids in vitamin E in the Di Bella Method biological multitherapy;
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid, 2–4 grams, twice a day orally);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Dihydrotachysterol, Alfacalcidol, synthetic Vitamin D3);
- Vitamin D (analogues and/or derivatives) and cancer - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;
- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response;
- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma.






