WASHINGTON, DC – Selenium, a trace mineral found naturally in plant foods, meats and seafood, may be effective for both treating and preventing prostate cancer, according to two studies by scientists from the laboratory of Allen Gao, MD, PhD, departments of Medicine and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). Their research will be presented at the 97^th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 1-5, in the Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.*

            In their first study (Abstract 938), the researchers used a systemic approach to examine the modification of androgen signaling by selenium in human prostate cancer cells. Results suggest that selenium (methylselenocysteine) disrupts androgen receptor (AR) signaling at multiple stages of AR signaling pathways, including AR mRNA expression, mRNA stability, protein degradation, nuclear translocation and interaction with co-regulators in prostate cancer.

            Findings from the second study (Abstract 5083) suggest that selenium can serve as a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer. The study demonstrated that selenium inhibits LNCaP tumor growth and is accompanied by a reduction of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) expression in vivo.

These two studies suggest a novel mechanism of selenium anticancer action and warrant  further investigation of selenium as a therapeutic agent, in addition to a chemopreventive agent, for prostate cancer.

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. Members include more than 24,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers, health care professionals, and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and in more than 60 other countries.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment, and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org

*Editors Note:

Abstract # 938 “Mechanisms of selenium down regulation of androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer” Embargoed until Sunday, April 2, 1 pm Exhibit Hall, Washington Convention Center, Poster Session: Signaling in Hormonally Regulated Tumors

Abstract #5083 “Monomethylated selenium inhibits growth of LNCaP human prostate cancer xenograft accompanies by a decrease in the expression of androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)” Embargoed until Wednesday, April 5, 8 am

Exhibit Hall, Washington Convention Center, Poster Session: Inhibitors of Signal Transduction in Cancer.