The Role of Selenium as an Antioxidant in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Sep 30, 2026

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Antioxidants are implicated in preventing cancerous growth, and selenium is a crucial trace element within the oxidation-reduction system. Selenium shows dose- and context-dependent dual behavior: antioxidant effects at physiological levels, but pro-oxidant and cytotoxic actions at higher concentrations. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including intracellular oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, mediate oxidative stress that shapes cancer cell survival and death. This interplay keeps selenium’s role in renal cell carcinoma under debate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages7

Reading Time18 min

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Abstract

Background

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How to cite this article

Review began 11/21/2025 Review ended 11/29/2025 Published 12/08/2025 © Copyright 2025 El Menawy et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CCBY 4.0. , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original author and source are credited. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.98696 Open Access Original Article The Role of Selenium as an Antioxidant in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma Ziad El Menawy 1, 2, 3, 4 , Hussein Hmoud 5, Mina Taher 6, Taqwa Atef 7 , Ibrahim Elsharkawi 8, Anu V. Ranade 9 1. Trauma and Orthopedic, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, GBR 2. Paediatric Burns and Plastic Surgery, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, GBR 3. Trauma and Orthopaedics, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, GBR 4. Internal Medicine, Zayed Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE 5. Endocrinology, William Harvey Hospital, East Kent, GBR 6. General Practice, East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Kent, GBR 7. Pediatrics, Al Jalila Children 's Hospital, Dubai, ARE 8. Research and Development, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE 9. Basic Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE Corresponding author: Ziad El Menawy, [ziadelmenawy@gmail.com](ziadelmenawy@gmail.com) Abstract Background: Antioxidants are said to have a major role in preventing cancerous growth, and selenium, being one of the vital trace elements, plays a crucial role in the oxidation-reduction system. Selenium, however, demonstrates a well-recognised dose-and context-dependent dual behaviour: while acting as an antioxidant at physiological levels, it may exert pro-oxidant and cytotoxic effects at higher concentrations, a phenomenon previously described in cancer biology. In parallel, reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, are key mediators of oxidative stress that influence cancer cell survival and death. Given this interplay, the role of selenium in modulating oxidative stress remains controversial. Aim: To explore the effects of selenium as an antioxidant on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) . Methods: RCC cell lines under strict culture conditions were divided into two groups: control (group A) and experimental groups. Experimental groups were selenium treated (group B), exposed to oxidative stress induced with H₂O₂ (group C), and exposed to oxidative stress induced with H₂O₂ followed by selenium treatment (group D) and selenium treatment followed by oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ (group E) . Cell growth and survival were evaluated in each group after 72 hours. Evaluation ofthe ROS was done using the Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species Detection Assay Kit (Abcam; ab186029), and cell viability was measured using MTT reagent (Sigma; 11465007001) . Results: The generation of the ROS was significantly high in groups C (125 .4% ± 14.6), D (132 .9% ± 16.6), and E (135 .3% ± 22. 1) when compared to groups A (100% ± 14) and B (91 . 7% ± 14.6) . Moreover, the RCC cell viability was 98. 7% ± 10.8 in group B compared to C, D and E (80 .8% ± 5.4, 79. 7% ± 5.9 and 74.8% ± 8.8, respectively) . Moreover, an association was observed between the viability of cells and ROS generation. The higher the ROS generation (groups C, D, and E), the lower its viability. Likewise, the lower the ROS generation (group B), the more viable were the cells. Conclusions: the effects of selenium as an antioxidant in promoting cell viability in renal cell carcinoma have been controversial. In some aspects, it reduced ROS production, which increased cancer cell viability. While in another setting, selenium increased ROS levels, which correlated with more cell death. Therefore, further research needs to be conducted to prove the true effects of selenium on cancer cells. Categories: Urology, Internal Medicine, Nephrology Keywords: cancer therapy, hydrogen peroxide (h2o2), reactive-oxygen-species, renal cell carcinoma (rcc), se

FAQs

Why is selenium considered to have a dual role in cancer biology?

Selenium can act as an antioxidant at physiological levels, but at higher concentrations it may become pro-oxidant and cytotoxic. This depends on dose and the cellular context.

How were the renal cell carcinoma cells treated in the study?

RCC cell lines were divided into control and experimental groups, including selenium treatment, oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and combinations where selenium was given before or after H₂O₂ exposure.

What relationship did the study observe between ROS generation and cell viability?

Higher ROS generation in the oxidative stress groups was associated with lower cell viability, while lower ROS generation in the selenium-only group corresponded to higher viability.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Stanford