Compositions for the treatment and prevention of cancer

Abstract

Compositions are provided for the topical treatment of cancer consisting of lotions, creams, sprays, suppositories or slow-release transdermal patches containing lipid-soluble, skin-penetrating organic selenium compounds in combination with inert carriers in therapeutically effective amounts of selenium compound. The selenium compounds are medium linear chain dialkyl diselenides and precursors such as alkyl selenols. Preferred compositions employ R—Se—Se—R compounds where R is from 6 to 8 carbon atoms, and most specifically di-n-hexyl diselenide. Commonly used carriers may be purified hydrocarbon fractions, oils, with or without added fat-soluble vitamins, water and emulsifying agents.

1 . A composition for topical treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions, comprising:
 a dialkyl diselenide of composition R—Se—Se—R in a physiologically acceptable carrier, with the chain length of the alkyl groups R ranging from 6 to 8 carbon atoms.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a liquid aliphatic hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the hydrocarbon has from 10 to 12 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises at least one material selected from the group comprising sesame oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, squalane, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, glycerol, triethanol amine, retinyl palmitate, allantoin, methyl paraben, imidazolidinyl urea, fragrant plant oils, DL-a-tocopherol, DL-a-tocopheryl acetate, vitamin A, and light petrolatum. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1  comprising dialkyl diselenide in a range of from about 0.1 to about 40%. 
     
     
         6 . A spray for topical treatment of the skin according to  claim 1 , further including an inert propellant gas under pressure for applying a mixture by spraying or by instillation. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the dialkyl diselenide comprises di-n-hexyl diselenide. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1  comprising in a range of from about 0.1% to about 40% of di-n-hexyl diselenide in an aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 10 to 12 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according the  claim 8 , wherein the hydrocarbon comprises n-decane. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 8  comprising in a range of from about 6% to about 12% of di-n-hexyl diselenide in an aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 10 to 12 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising 6% di-n-heptyl diselenide in a carrier selected from the group comprising safflower oil, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, sesame oil, DL-a-tocopherol, and fragrant plant oils. 
     
     
         12 . A composition comprising a di-n-alkyl diselenide dissolved in vegetable oils, wherein the alkyl radical has from 6 to 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12  containing from about 1 to about 10% of di-n-hexyl diselenide in jojoba oil, wheat germ oil, sesame seed soil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, squalane, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A composition for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors, comprising: a cream of commonly used base materials and containing a di-n-alkyl diselenide wherein the alkyl radical has from 6 to 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising from 0.1 to 10% dialkyl diselenide in cocoa butter, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or other materials having a melting point of about 37° C. and having regulatory approval for suppositories. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the dialkyl diselenide comprises alkyl radicals each have in the range of from 6 to 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 16 , wherein the organoselenium compound comprises di-n-hexyl diselenide.