Un estudio de la Universidad de Navarra demuestra el efecto antitumoral del selenio frente a la leucemia y los cánceres de próstata y mama
A study by the University of Navarra demonstrates the antitumor effect of selenium against leukemia, prostate and breast cancers.
This chemical element, present in broccoli, Brazil nuts, mushrooms or seafood, could be a new component of drugs to treat cancer.
A research, developed at the University of Navarra by graduate at Chemistry Daniel Plano, has demonstrated the antitumor effect of new compounds containing an atom of selenium, a chemical element found in foods such as broccoli, brazil nuts, mushrooms or seafood.
The Navarre chemist's work started with 72 synthesized compounds, from which they chose the eight with the greatest action and selective capacity against five types of cancer in vitro. "In particular, these compounds showed their action in leukemia, prostate cancer and breast cancer cell lines," explains the scientist.
Likewise, the researcher, who has obtained the award Extraordinary of doctorate of the School of Sciences, adds that many of the compounds synthesized "have shown very promising results against leishmaniasis, a disease caused by different protozoa and transmitted by the bite of midges".
Regarding the antitumor activity of selenium, the chemist from the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra recalls the study carried out by researchers at the Cancer Center of the University of Arizona: "In this center they carried out an analysis that began in 1983 with 1,312 people divided into two groups. While the first group received 200 micrograms of selenium daily, supplemented as yeast, the rest took a placebo. The results confirmed that the group treated with selenium developed almost 66% less prostate cancer, 50% less colorectal and lung cancer, and about 40% less lung cancer, compared to the control group ". In addition, the same essay confirmed that subjects who had taken the selenium supplement experienced a halving in total cancer deaths.
Selenium-rich fertilizers
On the other hand, the expert recalls that the University of Arizona study, and many other studies, "confirm the influence of soils with high levels of selenium, and the consumption of foods containing it, in a lower incidence of several types of cancer". In this sense, although there is no record of the geographical distribution of this element in soils, Daniel Plano clarifies that its presence can be increased by means of fertilizers containing it.
His work has led to collaborations with several groups of international centers and has resulted in 12 publications in prestigious scientific journals.