Anti-cancer potential of selenium- and tellurium-containing species: opportunities abound!

An overview highlighting the anti-cancer potential of (bio-essential) selenium- and tellurium-containing species, with an emphasis on biological targets and mechanisms of action, is presented. Studies thus far have focused on selenium(II) compounds (along with to a lesser extent inorganic selenium and selenium nanoparticles) which often successfully exploit the inherent anti-oxidizing ability of selenium. Significantly less work has been conducted in developing anti-cancer tellurium compounds, yet two tellurium(IV) species are proven, clinically, as anti-cancer agents. Given the prevalence of the disease and the accumulated insights into mechanisms of action, the continued development of selenium- and tellurium-containing molecules is an area deserving greater attention. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.