Zinc selenite

Epidemiological data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

epidemiological data

Type of information:

other: human case control study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

other: Not rated. No significant deficiencies in study design and evaluation were reported by ATSDR, 2003 expert judgment.

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: No significant deficiencies in study design and evaluation were reported by ATSDR, 2003 expert judgment.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Serum levels of selenium and retinol and the subsequent risk of cancer.

Author:

Coates, RJ; et al.

Year:

1988

Bibliographic source:

Am J Epidemiol 128:515-523

Materials and methods

Endpoint addressed:

carcinogenicity

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

A nested case-control study was conducted to assess the relation between serum levels of selenium and retinol and the subsequent risk of cancer. During the years 1972-1984, in northwest Washington State, 156 cases of cancer were identified among members of two employee cohorts from whom specisms had been previously obtained and stored. 287 controls were selected from these cohorts and matched to cases on the basis of employer, age, sex, race, and date of blood draw. Selenium and retinol levels were measured by neutron activation and high pressure liquid chromatography, respectively. Information on known cancer risk factors were collected by telephone interviews of the subjects and next of kin.

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

not defined

IUPAC Name:

not defined

Method

Details on study design:

A nested case-control study was conducted to assess the relation between serum levels of selenium and retinol and the subsequent risk of cancer. During the years 1972-1984, in northwest Washington State, 156 cases of cancer were identified among members of two employee cohorts from whom specisms had been previously obtained and stored. 287 controls were selected from these cohorts and matched to cases on the basis of employer, age, sex, race, and date of blood draw. Selenium and retinol levels were measured by neutron activation and high pressure liquid chomatography, respectively. Information on known cancer risk factors were collected by telephone interviews of the subjects and next of kin.

Results and discussion

Results:

According to ATSDR expert judgement, the study revealed no association between selenium intake and incidence of cancer. A nested case-control study was conducted to assess the relation between serum levels of selenium and retinol and the subsequent risk of cancer. The findings of this study suggest that neither serum levels of selenium nor those of retinol have an appreciable effect on the risk of cancer.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Levels of selenium and retinol were unassociated with the incidence of cancer of all sites combined, both overall and within subgroups defined by age, sex, levels of the other micronutrient, time between blood draw and diagnosis, smoking status, and family history of cancer. These findings suggest that neither serum levels of selenium nor those of retinol have an appreciable effect on the risk of cancer.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

According to ATSDR expert judgement, the study revealed no association between selenium intake and incidence of cancer. A nested case-control study was conducted to assess the relation between serum levels of selenium and retinol and the subsequent risk of cancer. The findings of this study suggest that neither serum levels of selenium nor those of retinol have an appreciable effect on the risk of cancer.