title: Addition of Selenium Improves Immunomodulative Effects of Glucan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selenium (Se) is an established essential nutrient that plays a role in various biological processes including cancer development. Similarly, stimulation of immune reactions by β-glucans is well-documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the current study, we focused on the stimulation of phagocytosis and interleukin (IL)-2 production and on potentiation of anticancer immunity by a combination of glucan with two types of Se.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phagocytosis was evaluated using synthetic microspheres; cancer development was measured either using breast cancer cells or using lung cancer cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using two different murine models of cancer, we showed that the Se/glucan combination strongly suppressed the growth of cancer, mostly probably via stimulation of immunity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of glucan with Se offers superior stimulation of immunity and inhibition of cancer growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Vaclav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vetvicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vetvickova
keywords: Cancer; glucan; immunity; phagocytosis; selenium (Se)