Three past major clinical trials by UA Cancer Center researchers have investigated the link between selenium and cancer, with mixed results. We are all so excited and grateful for the innovative opportunities the National Cancer Institute has enabled with this investment.” “Since much of the foundational investigation of the links between selenium and cancer has taken place at the UA Cancer Center, it is appropriate that our researchers continue pursuing this work. “The research funded by this grant has the potential to benefit patients worldwide,” said UA President Robert C. “We’re in a unique position to be able to study this.” “We’re not sure which genes affect response to selenium,” Dr. Jacobs’ team will examine how selenium interacts with other components of a person’s diet to affect colorectal cancer risk and how genes might mediate the link between selenium and colorectal cancer risk. Jacobs, PhD, professor and director of the epidemiology program at the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and UA Cancer Center member, is principal investigator for the project, which is funded by a $2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute through June 2022. The team seeks to unravel the mystery of why some clinical trial participants experienced a reduction in recurrence of colon polyps that could lead to colorectal cancer, while some older participants had a slight increase in diabetes risk.Įlizabeth T. In response, researchers at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the UA Cancer Center are delving deeper into clinical trial data on the benefits and harms of selenium supplementation. Determining who could benefit from selenium supplementation and who may be at risk could help guide health-care providers in making recommendations to their patients, particularly given that as many as half of American adults take a dietary supplement of some kind. Personalized medicine - health care tailored to the individual patient - not only involves the use of prescription medications but vitamins and supplements as well.

Abroad by Liz Jacobs