Role of Trace Elements in Chemoprevention and Cancer Therapy 2.0

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 17042

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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
Interests: anti-cancer mechanisms of organo-selenium compounds; cancer biomarkers; chemoprevention; cancer therapy; dietary manipulations; inflammation; systems biology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Trace elements are integral to the proper functioning of several important biochemical processes in a living body. A number of essential trace elements, such as iron, zinc, fluoride, selenium, copper, chromium, iodine, manganese, and molybdenum, are demonstrated to play important roles in the etiology and prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer. Supplementation by trace elements will likely overcome deficiency-induced complications; however, to better achieve cancer reduction, emerging options of using trace elements containing natural and synthetic anticancer agents, such as organo-selenium or organo-zinc compounds may be employed. These anticancer agents may be used in combination with existing chemotherapy to improve survival, or as an agent to sensitize drug-resistant tumors and reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Other implications of emerging anticancer include, but are not limited to, the impact of trace elements on the tumor microenvironment, tumor hypoxia, tumor microbiota, and an improvement of the immune system.

This Special Issue invites original research (in vitro and in vivo), clinical studies, and/or reviews on mechanism-driven research developments for the use of trace elements and/or trace element-containing anticancer agents in chemoprevention and cancer therapy, including but not limited to, the specific areas mentioned above.

Dr. Raghu Sinha
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • trace elements
  • chromium
  • copper
  • fluoride
  • iodine
  • iron
  • manganese
  • molybdenum
  • selenium
  • zinc
  • chemoprevention
  • cancer therapy
  • combination therapy
  • drug resistance
  • immunity
  • tumor microbiota
  • tumor microenvironment
  • tumor hypoxia

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1578 KiB  
Article
Antiproliferative Effect of Inorganic and Organic Selenium Compounds in Breast Cell Lines
by Nayara Souza da Costa, Luíza Siqueira Lima, Franciele Aparecida Mendes Oliveira, Maria Eduarda Andrade Galiciolli, Mariana Inocêncio Manzano, Quelen Iane Garlet, Ana Carolina Irioda and Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira
Biomedicines 2023, 11(5), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11051346 - 3 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2063
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, fast-growing tumor that is more likely to spread to distant organs. Among women diagnosed with breast cancer, the prevalence of TNBC is 20%, and treatment is currently limited to chemotherapy. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient, has [...] Read more.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, fast-growing tumor that is more likely to spread to distant organs. Among women diagnosed with breast cancer, the prevalence of TNBC is 20%, and treatment is currently limited to chemotherapy. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient, has been explored as an antiproliferative agent. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to organic (selenomethionine, ebselen, and diphenyl diselenide) and inorganic (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) Se molecules in different breast cell lines. The compounds were tested at 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM for 48 h in the non-tumor breast cell line (MCF-10A) and TNBC derivatives cell lines (BT-549 and MDA-MB-231). The effects of Se on cell viability, apoptotic and necrotic processes, colony formation, and cell migration were analyzed. Exposure to selenomethionine and selenate did not alter the evaluated parameters. However, selenomethionine had the highest selectivity index (SI). The exposure to the highest doses of selenite, ebselen, and diphenyl diselenide resulted in antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects. Selenite had a high SI to the BT cell line; however, the SI of ebselen and diphenyl diselenide was low in both tumoral cell lines. In conclusion, the Se compounds had different effects on the breast cell lines, and additional tests are needed to reveal the antiproliferative effects of Se compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Elements in Chemoprevention and Cancer Therapy 2.0)
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13 pages, 1106 KiB  
Article
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Investigation of Selenium Supplementation in Women at Elevated Risk for Breast Cancer: Lessons for Re-Emergent Interest in Selenium and Cancer
by Henry J. Thompson, Scot M. Sedlacek, Vanessa K. Fitzgerald, Pamela Wolfe and John N. McGinley
Biomedicines 2023, 11(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11010049 - 25 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2154
Abstract
Damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA and lipid, induced via reactive oxygen species, and indicators of cell proliferation potential such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) metabolic status are intermediate biomarkers of breast cancer risk. Based on reports that selenium status can affect [...] Read more.
Damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA and lipid, induced via reactive oxygen species, and indicators of cell proliferation potential such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) metabolic status are intermediate biomarkers of breast cancer risk. Based on reports that selenium status can affect these markers, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind experiment was conducted to investigate the potential of selenium supplementation to modulate breast cancer risk. Using a placebo tablet or a tablet containing 200 μg selenium provided as high-selenium yeast daily for one year, concentrations of the biomarkers in blood or urine were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of intervention. The selenium intervention used in this study is presumed to mediate its effect via the induction of glutathione peroxidase activity and the consequential impact of the active form of this protein on oxidative damage. We found no evidence to support this hypothesis or to indicate that systemic IGF metabolic status was affected. Critical knowledge gaps must be addressed for the resurgence of interest in selenium and cancer to garner clinical relevance. Those knowledge gaps include the identification of a specific, high-affinity selenium metabolite and the cellular target(s) to which it binds, and the demonstration that the cellular determinant that the selenium metabolite binds plays a critical role in the initiation, promotion, or progression of a specific type of cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Elements in Chemoprevention and Cancer Therapy 2.0)
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Review

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19 pages, 6453 KiB  
Review
Physiological Activity of Trace Element Germanium including Anticancer Properties
by Leonid G. Menchikov and Anatoliy V. Popov
Biomedicines 2023, 11(6), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11061535 - 25 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4392
Abstract
Germanium is an essential microelement, and its deficiency can result in numerous diseases, particularly oncogenic conditions. Consequently, water-soluble germanium compounds, including inorganic and coordination compounds, have attracted significant attention due to their biological activity. The review analyzes the primary research from the last [...] Read more.
Germanium is an essential microelement, and its deficiency can result in numerous diseases, particularly oncogenic conditions. Consequently, water-soluble germanium compounds, including inorganic and coordination compounds, have attracted significant attention due to their biological activity. The review analyzes the primary research from the last decade related to the anticancer activity of germanium compounds. Furthermore, the review clarifies their actual toxicity, identifies errors and misconceptions that have contributed to the discrediting of their biological activity, and briefly suggests a putative mechanism of germanium-mediated protection from oxidative stress. Finally, the review provides clarifications on the discovery history of water-soluble organic germanium compounds, which was distorted and suppressed for a long time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Elements in Chemoprevention and Cancer Therapy 2.0)
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28 pages, 1513 KiB  
Review
Zinc in Prostate Health and Disease: A Mini Review
by Nishi Karunasinghe
Biomedicines 2022, 10(12), 3206; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123206 - 10 Dec 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6466
Abstract
Introduction-With the high global prevalence of prostate cancer and associated mortalities, it is important to enhance current clinical practices for better prostate cancer outcomes. The current review is towards understanding the value of Zn towards this mission. Method-General information on Zn [...] Read more.
Introduction-With the high global prevalence of prostate cancer and associated mortalities, it is important to enhance current clinical practices for better prostate cancer outcomes. The current review is towards understanding the value of Zn towards this mission. Method-General information on Zn in biology and multiple aspects of Zn involvement in prostate health and disease were referred to in PubMed. Results-The most influential feature of Zn towards prostate health is its ability to retain sufficient citrate levels for a healthy prostate. Zn deficiencies were recorded in serum, hair, and prostate tissue of men with prostate cancer compared to non-cancer controls. Zn gut absorption, albumin binding, and storage compete with various factors. There are multiple associations of Zn cellular influx and efflux transporters, Zn finger proteins, matrix metalloproteinases, and Zn signaling with prostate cancer outcomes. Such Zn marker variations associated with prostate cancer recorded from biological matrices may improve algorithms for prostate cancer screening, prognosis, and management when coupled with standard clinical practices. Discussion-The influence of Zn in prostatic health and disease is multidimensional, therefore more personalized Zn requirements may be beneficial. Several opportunities exist to utilize and improve understanding of Zn associations with prostate health and disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Elements in Chemoprevention and Cancer Therapy 2.0)
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Other

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7 pages, 597 KiB  
Brief Report
Serum Iron Level and 10-Year Survival after Melanoma
by Karolina Rowińska, Piotr Baszuk, Emilia Rogoża-Janiszewska, Jakub Deptuła, Wojciech Marciniak, Róża Derkacz, Marcin Lener, Cezary Cybulski, Magdalena Kiedrowicz, Magdalena Boer, Mariola Marchlewicz, Tadeusz Dębniak and Jan Lubiński
Biomedicines 2022, 10(12), 3018; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123018 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1281
Abstract
The malignant melanoma of the skin is a very aggressive tumor. The determination of prognostic biomarkers is important for the early detection of recurrence, and for the enrollment of the patients into different treatment regimens. An evaluation of a cohort of 375 Polish [...] Read more.
The malignant melanoma of the skin is a very aggressive tumor. The determination of prognostic biomarkers is important for the early detection of recurrence, and for the enrollment of the patients into different treatment regimens. An evaluation of a cohort of 375 Polish MM cases revealed that a low serum iron concentration (i.e., below 893.05 µg/L) was associated with increased mortality. The study group was followed up from the date of melanoma diagnosis until death or 2020. Patients were assigned to one of four categories in accordance with increasing iron level (I–IV quarters). Patients with a low iron level of below 893.05 µg/L (I quarter) had a significantly lower survival rate when compared to the subgroup with the highest iron level, above 1348.63 µg/L (IV quarter; HR = 4.12; p = 0.028 and HR = 4.66; p = 0.019 for uni- and multivariable models, respectively). Multivariable analysis took into account the following factors: iron levels, Clark, sex, and age. Future studies based upon the examination of a larger number of cases should be conducted to confirm our findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Elements in Chemoprevention and Cancer Therapy 2.0)
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