1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate

p-XSC (1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate) is a synthetic organoselenium compound developed as a chemopreventive and therapeutic agent, particularly for prostate cancer. It is designed to provide the beneficial effects of selenium with lower toxicity and higher efficacy than naturally occurring selenium compounds like selenomethionine. Mechanistically, p-XSC inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) signaling pathway by disrupting the interaction between mTOR and Rictor, which leads to decreased phosphorylation of the downstream target Akt. Additionally, p-XSC has been shown to down-regulate the expression and transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor (AR) in both androgen-responsive and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Preclinical studies suggest that p-XSC may be effective against advanced and hormone-refractory prostate disease, either as a monotherapy or in combination with mTORC1 inhibitors like rapamycin.

Other names

1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanatepara-xyleneselenocyanate