Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant challenge in the cancer therapy, with mechanisms primarily involving increased drug efflux mediated by ABC transporters, leading to reduced intracellular drug concentrations. In recent years, various selenium-containing compounds have demonstrated extensiv...

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Main Authors: Haoqiang Hu, Yunjun Chen, Hongtao Xu, Wei Hou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2707368825000251
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author Haoqiang Hu
Yunjun Chen
Hongtao Xu
Wei Hou
author_facet Haoqiang Hu
Yunjun Chen
Hongtao Xu
Wei Hou
author_sort Haoqiang Hu
collection DOAJ
description Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant challenge in the cancer therapy, with mechanisms primarily involving increased drug efflux mediated by ABC transporters, leading to reduced intracellular drug concentrations. In recent years, various selenium-containing compounds have demonstrated extensive biological activities, including chemoprevention, antioxidant or pro-oxidant effects, and regulation of the nervous and immune system activities. One of the most prominent physiological characteristics of selenium is its antioxidant capacity, which can regulate the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, making it a promising group for reversing MDR activity. Furthermore, research has shown that natural selenium compounds, including selenate, selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystein, can inhibit the activity of drug resistance proteins and increase the intracellular accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs by regulating intracellular ROS levels. For instance, sodium selenite has been shown to markedly increase the sensitivity of drug-resistant cell lines to doxorubicin, exhibiting significant antitumor efficacy and potential for reversing MDR. These findings suggest that selenium compounds hold considerable promise in addressing multidrug resistance. Consequently, this review focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of MDR and the chemical properties of selenium compounds, with particular emphasis on their activities in reversing MDR, thereby providing novel strategies for overcoming MDR in tumor cells.
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spelling doaj-art-eeb57cc375624d088ad9e87655e37e812025-08-20T03:58:14ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy2707-36882025-06-016218419410.1016/j.jhip.2025.06.004Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistanceHaoqiang Hu0Yunjun Chen1Hongtao Xu2Wei Hou3College of Pharmaceutical Science & Green Pharmaceutical Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, ChinaCollege of Pharmaceutical Science & Green Pharmaceutical Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, ChinaShanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; Corresponding author.College of Pharmaceutical Science & Green Pharmaceutical Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China; Corresponding author.Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant challenge in the cancer therapy, with mechanisms primarily involving increased drug efflux mediated by ABC transporters, leading to reduced intracellular drug concentrations. In recent years, various selenium-containing compounds have demonstrated extensive biological activities, including chemoprevention, antioxidant or pro-oxidant effects, and regulation of the nervous and immune system activities. One of the most prominent physiological characteristics of selenium is its antioxidant capacity, which can regulate the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, making it a promising group for reversing MDR activity. Furthermore, research has shown that natural selenium compounds, including selenate, selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystein, can inhibit the activity of drug resistance proteins and increase the intracellular accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs by regulating intracellular ROS levels. For instance, sodium selenite has been shown to markedly increase the sensitivity of drug-resistant cell lines to doxorubicin, exhibiting significant antitumor efficacy and potential for reversing MDR. These findings suggest that selenium compounds hold considerable promise in addressing multidrug resistance. Consequently, this review focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of MDR and the chemical properties of selenium compounds, with particular emphasis on their activities in reversing MDR, thereby providing novel strategies for overcoming MDR in tumor cells.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2707368825000251SeleniumMultidrug resistanceATP-Binding cassette (ABC) transportersReactive oxygen speciesDrug development
spellingShingle Haoqiang Hu
Yunjun Chen
Hongtao Xu
Wei Hou
Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy
Selenium
Multidrug resistance
ATP-Binding cassette (ABC) transporters
Reactive oxygen species
Drug development
title Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
title_full Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
title_fullStr Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
title_full_unstemmed Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
title_short Research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
title_sort research advances in the role of selenium in reversing tumor multidrug resistance
topic Selenium
Multidrug resistance
ATP-Binding cassette (ABC) transporters
Reactive oxygen species
Drug development
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2707368825000251
work_keys_str_mv AT haoqianghu researchadvancesintheroleofseleniuminreversingtumormultidrugresistance
AT yunjunchen researchadvancesintheroleofseleniuminreversingtumormultidrugresistance
AT hongtaoxu researchadvancesintheroleofseleniuminreversingtumormultidrugresistance
AT weihou researchadvancesintheroleofseleniuminreversingtumormultidrugresistance