Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise as New Cancer Treatment Option
- Authors
- Luc Rochette, Marianna Zeller, Yves Cottin, Catherine Vergely
- Journal
- Cancers
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.3390/cancers13040893
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- France
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Cellular
TL;DR
Scientists found that a special gas called molecular hydrogen (H2) can help fight cancer by protecting cells from damage and reducing inflammation, and it works even better when combined with proton beam radiation therapy—making it a promising new way to treat cancer with fewer side effects.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation while protecting DNA and mitochondria, suggesting potential as a complementary approach to proton beam radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
Summary
This article reviews how molecular hydrogen (H2), a simple gas, might help fight cancer by reducing cellular damage and inflammation. The authors discuss how H2 could be combined with proton beam radiotherapy (a type of radiation cancer treatment) to potentially improve outcomes. However, this is a review of existing research rather than a new study with actual patient or experimental results.
Practical Takeaway
While this review identifies theoretical mechanisms by which H2 might support cancer treatment, it does not present new experimental or clinical evidence. The authors note H2 could be delivered via drinking H2-rich water, inhalation, or injection, but actual clinical testing in cancer patients has not yet been reported. Much more research is needed before any health claims can be made.
Abstract
Understanding the structure and dynamics of the various hydrogen forms has been a subject of numerous studies. Protons (H+) and molecular hydrogen (H2) in the cell are critical in a wide variety of processes. A new cancer treatment uses H2, a biologically inactive gas. Due to its small molecular weight, H2 can rapidly penetrate cell membranes and reach subcellular components to protect nuclear DNA and mitochondria. H2 reduces oxidative stress, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and acts as a modulator of apoptosis. Exogenous H2, administered by inhalation, drinking H2-rich water, or injecting H2-rich saline solution, is a protective therapy that can be used in multiple diseases, including cancer. In particle therapy, cyclotrons and synchrotrons are the accelerators currently used to produce protons. Proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) offers great promise for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers due to the sharp decrease in the dose of radiation at a defined point. In these conditions, H2 and different types of H2 donors may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment.