Selenium in serum and neoplastic tissue in breast cancer: correlation with CEA

Abstract

Trace element selenium (Se) is regarded to be a breast cancer preventive factor involved in multiple protective pathways. In all, 80 women with breast cancer who underwent a radical mastectomy were enrolled in the study. Serum Se and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were measured using a fluorometric and IRMA assay, respectively. Se tissue concentration was determined by a tissue extracting fluorometric assay. For statistical analysis purposes t -test was used and P -values <0.001 were regarded as statistically significant. Serum Se was 42.5±7.5 μ g l −1 in breast cancer patients and 67.6±5.36 μ g l −1 in the age-matched control group of healthy individuals. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen in patients was 10±1.7 U ml −1 (normal <2.5 U ml −1 in nonsmokers/<3.5 U ml −1 in smokers). A statistically significant difference was found for both serum Se and CEA between two groups studied ( P <0.001). Neoplastic tissue Se concentration was 2660±210 mg g −1 tissue; its concentration in the adjacent non-neoplastic tissue was 680±110 mg g −1 tissue ( P <0.001). An inverse relationship between Se and CEA serum levels was found in the two groups studied ( r =−0.794). There was no correlation between serum/tissue Se concentration and stage of the disease. The decrease in serum Se concentration as well as its increased concentration in the neoplastic breast tissue is of great significance. These alterations may reflect part of the defence mechanisms against the carcinogenetic process.

Assessment of Biochemical Profiles in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer

“…In this study, selenium level were found decreased in both pre and postmenopausal breast cancer patients than the control groups, finding is supported by study conducted in breast cancer patients by Mannisto et al (2006). Low level of selenium has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer in humans (Charalabopoulos et al, 2006). In some studies, serum levels of selenium were found to be significantly lower in breast cancer cases compared to control group (Garland et al, 1995;Banu et al, 2003;Jasim, 2011).…”

Selenium as a chemopreventive agent in experimentally induced colon carcinogenesis

“…Low levels of selenium have been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer in humans, which is another important factor related to dietary intake [12] . Epidemiological studies illustrate an increased incidence of colorectal cancer in humans in geographic regions where selenium is deficient [13] .…”

Selenium inhibits migration of murine melanoma cells via down-modulation of IL-18 expression

“…Recently, several studies have suggested that serum selenium level could be used as a prognostic marker in various cancer types, such as prostate, skin, breast and colon [34][35][36][37]. While studies suggest that selenium can help prevent cancer cell progression and may be useful as a diagnostic marker, it is not clear whether serum concentrations of selenium influence cancer progression.…”