Selenium sebagai Suplemen Terapi Kanker: Sebuah Review

Abstract

Selenium is an essential element of micronutrients for human health. In the body, selenium is spread in all organs in the form of a conjugated protein compound (selenoprotein). The compound contains at least a selenocysteine consisting of cysteine. Selenoprotein compounds are generally antioxidants. Selenium is linked to its effects on human health including some types of cancer. Studies on the use of selenium supplementation in cancer therapy with radiation and chemotherapy showed elevated plasma selenium levels, increased therapeutic efficacy, reduced side effects, and improved quality of life for cancer patients. This review aimed to investigate and evaluate the utilization of selenium as a supplement in cancer treatment for patients who undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Database searching was performed through PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar using the keywords “Selenium”, “Selenoprotein”, “Selenium and cancer therapy”, “Selenium and Chemotherapy” and “Selenium and Radiotherapy”. The results showed that selenium is a micronutrient that can be developed as a supplement component in the prevention of cancer with a therapeutic dose of 100–400 micrograms per day.