Methods for treating a neoplastic disease in a subject using inorganic selenium-containing compounds
Patent Number: US9248149

Executive Summary:
  • Invention Type: Therapeutic
  • Patent Status: Granted
  • Patent Link: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9248149/
  • Research Institute: Stanford University
  • Disease Focus: Cancer
  • Basis of Invention: A series of chemoprevention studies using Se in several human cancers indicated notable decrease on cancer progression in different types of cancers including colon, lung, breast, and melanoma. This team decided to investigate the mechanisms by which Se protected carcinogenesis. In vitro studies revealed that iSe organic bound selenium at high doses induces apoptosis in cancer cells and increases the levels of reactive oxygen species, therefore potentiating the effect of chemotherapy and radiation in 4 different cancer cell lines tested.
  • How it works: High levels of Se targets mitochondrial Cytochrome C, impairing respiration and increasing ROS and GSH levels both mechanisms result in apoptosis
  • Lead Challenge Inventor: Susan J. Knox
  • Inventors: Susan J. Knox, Bryan Husbeck
  • Development Stage: Pre-clinical stage in vitro results
  • Novelty: Organic bound Se as a potential chemo and radio sensitizer for cancer
  • Clinical Applications:
    • Human Cancer: Colon, Lung, Breast Melanoma
 
General Description:
iSe uses for increase ROS levels results in apoptosis, the mechanisms studied and elucidated by the team were originated from the observations seen using low doses of Se as chemo-preventive agents, the potential uses of high doses of organic Selenium in vitro indicate its potential as radio-sensitizer. However in vitro data is not sufficient to conclude this can be applied in vivo preclinical animal models.

Scientific Progress:
Use of Selenium to induce apoptosis and radio sensitize cancer cells

Future Directions:
  • Preclinical animal models
 
Strengths:
  • Uses already approved therapy for cancer patients to be used in higher doses for targeted approach chemo and radio-sensitizer via increase of apoptosis and ROS levels
 
Weaknesses:
  • The patent only demonstrates in vitro data, extrapolating these results to in vivo data are needed to confirm the same mechanisms occur in vivo
 
Patent Status: 
Publications:
Husbeck B, Nonn L, Peehl DM, Knox SJ. Tumor-selective killing by selenite in patient-matched pairs of normal and malignant prostate cells. Prostate. 2006 Feb 1;66(2):218-25. PubMed PMID: 16173037.
 
Inventor Bio: Susan J Knox
https://profiles.stanford.edu/susan-knox