Summary
This systematic review examines how selenium stimulates antitumour immune responses, particularly through T-lymphocyte activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Whilst nutritional selenium's immunological role is reasonably well characterised, the authors highlight a knowledge gap regarding supra-nutritional and pharmacological dose effects in cancer immunity. The review proposes that selenium-based compounds could be integrated with immunotherapy to enhance treatment efficacy whilst potentially reducing adverse effects, laying groundwork for future combinatorial therapeutic strategies.
Regional applicability
The findings are relevant to UK oncology and nutritional medicine practice, particularly for researchers and clinicians exploring adjunctive immunonutritional approaches to cancer treatment. However, translation to UK clinical settings would require further mechanistic studies and clinical trials to establish optimal dosing, safety profiles, and patient populations most likely to benefit.
Key measures
T-lymphocyte activation; pro-inflammatory cytokine production (interferon-gamma); effects of nutritional, supra-nutritional, and pharmacological dose selenium in cancer immunity
Outcomes reported
The review systematically analysed current evidence on how selenium stimulates immune system responses against cancer, with focus on T-lymphocyte activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The authors propose selenium-based compounds could be combined with immunotherapy to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce adverse effects.
Topic tags
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