methylseleninic acid

Methylseleninic acid (MSA) is a synthetic organoselenium compound and a key metabolite of selenium that serves as a direct precursor to methylselenol, a highly active antineoplastic species. Unlike other selenium compounds such as selenomethionine, MSA does not require the action of β-lyase for conversion, allowing for more immediate biological activity. MSA exerts its anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, induction of apoptosis via caspase-3 activation and PARP1 cleavage, and modulation of oxidative stress. It has demonstrated significant growth-inhibitory effects in preclinical models of breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, both as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents like gemcitabine.

Other names

methaneseleninic acidmethylselenic acid