Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) is critical for cellular redox regulation and is involved in tumor proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. Its C-terminal redox-active center contains a cysteine (Cys497) and a unique selenocysteine (Sec498), which are exposed to solvent and easily accessible. Thus, it is becoming an important target for anticancer drugs. Selective inhibition of TrxR by 1, 2-(bis-1, 2-benzisoselenazol-3 (2H)-one) ethane (4a) prevents ...