Selenium-Based Nanoplatforms - An Emerging Theranostic Paradigm for Gynecological Cancers

Sep 22, 2026

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Gynecological cancers face major therapeutic obstacles driven by tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and insufficiently precise diagnostic options. Selenium (Se), an essential trace element with inherent anticancer properties, shows promise: epidemiological evidence links lower selenium status to higher cancer risk and worse prognosis. Selenium may serve as both a biomarker and a chemopreventive and therapeutic adjuvant, yet the mechanisms of different selenium forms remain unclear. This review summarizes selenium species advances and emphasizes selenium-based nanoparticles for diagnosis, imaging, and multi-modal therapy with improved bioavailability and lower toxicity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Selenium-based nanoplatforms overview

Therapeutic mechanisms and clinical relevance

Applications in diagnosis and imaging

Advanced Science [www.advancedscience.com](www.advancedscience.com) REVIEW Selenium-Based Nanoplatforms: An Emerging Theranostic Paradigm for Gynecological Cancers Hejing Liu1 Yujia Zhou1 Zihan Zhang1 Rong Ma1 Luyi Ruan1 Liqing Miao1 Boxin Zhang1 Huihui Ji1 Tianfeng Chen1, 2 Xueqiong Zhu1 1Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China 2 Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China Correspondence: Tianfeng Chen ([tchentf@jnu.edu.cn](tchentf@jnu.edu.cn)) Xueqiong Zhu (wzzxq@wzhealth.com) Received: 28 January 2026 Revised: 13 March 2026 Accepted: 2 April 2026 Keywords: diagnosis | gynecological cancers | selenium | selenium-based nanoparticles | therapeutic ABSTRACT Gynecological cancers present significant therapeutic challenges due to heterogeneity, drug resistance, and the lack of precise diagnostic tools. Selenium (Se), an essential trace element with intrinsic anticancer activity, has emerged as a promising candidate. Numerous epidemiological studies have confirmed a significant inverse correlation between selenium level and the risk of gynecological cancers’ development, and a low selenium status portends a poorer prognosis. Of note, the value of selenium extends beyond as the potential biomarker that selenium supplementation acts as both a chemopreventive agent and a therapeutic adjuvant in oncology. However, the current understanding of the mechanism of various forms of selenium in the treatment of gynecological cancers remains insufficient. Therefore, this review firstly summarizes the advances of various selenium species (inorganic, organic, and selenium-based nanoparticles) for the treatment of gynecological cancers. Among these, selenium-based nanoparticles have become a potential candidate for the treatment of gynecological cancers due to their higher bioavailability, better anticancer activity, and lower toxicity. This review systematically highlights their multifaceted therapeutic mechanisms and the applications in cancer diagnosis and imaging. As the platforms that converge diverse treatment modalities with diagnostic functions, Se-based nanoparticles provide new insights into the therapeutic and early diagnosis applications in gynecological cancers. | Abbreviations: AACES, African American Cancer Epidemiology Study; ABC transporters, ATP-binding cassette transporters; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; Au, aurum; BRCA1, breast cancer susceptibility gene 1; CA125, cancer antigen 125; Cd-Se, cadmium selenide; CDT, chemodynamic therapy; CHO, cholesterol; Cht, chitosan; CIK, cytokine-induced killer cells; CMP, carboxymethyl cottonin; CREA, creatinine; CRT, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell; CTLs, cytotoxic T lymphocytes; Cu, copper; Cys, cystine; CySH, cysteine; DCs, dendritic cells; dGMPSe, 2’-deoxyguanosine-5’-O-selenophosphate; DMSe, dimethyl selenide; DOX, doxorubicin; DSA, Diselenide 9, 10-styrene-Artemisia; EBRT, external beam radiation; EPR, enhanced permeability and retention effect; FA, folate; FAR, folate receptor; Fe, iron; FFQ, food frequency questionnaire; FIGO, Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics; GLU, glucose; GPxs, glutathione peroxidases; GSH, glutathione; GSSeH, selenenylsulfide; GSSeSG, selenodiglutathione; HA, hyaluronic acid; HE4, human epididymis protein 4; HPLC-ICP-MS, high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer; HPV, human papillomavirus; HSA, human serum albumin; ICD, immunogenic cell death; IMRT, intensity modulated radiation therapy; LNT/ LET, lentinan; mAb, monoclonal antibody; MBs, microbubbles; MeSeA, methylseleninic acids; MetSeCys, methylselenocysteine; MP

FAQs

What therapeutic and diagnostic challenges do gynecological cancers present?

Gynecological cancers are difficult to treat because of heterogeneity, drug resistance, and the lack of precise diagnostic tools.

Why is selenium considered promising for gynecological cancers?

Selenium has intrinsic anticancer activity, and studies show an inverse relationship between selenium level and cancer risk and prognosis. It may also function as a biomarker and as a chemopreventive/therapeutic adjuvant.

What advantages do selenium-based nanoparticles offer in this review?

Selenium-based nanoparticles are highlighted for higher bioavailability, better anticancer activity, lower toxicity, and their ability to combine treatment with diagnosis and imaging.

Sep 22, 2026

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