Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise as New Cancer Treatment Option
- Authors
- Sai Li, Rongrong Liao, Xiaoyen Sheng, Xiaojun Luo, Xin Zhang, Xiaomin Wen, Jin Zhou, Kang Peng
- Journal
- Frontiers in Onconology
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.3389/fonc.2019.00696
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Scientists discovered that hydrogen gas (the same stuff in balloons) might help fight cancer by reducing inflammation, protecting cells from damage, and slowing tumor growth—plus it could make chemotherapy less painful for patients, though they need to do more research before doctors can use it in hospitals.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas shows potential in cancer treatment through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects, and may help reduce chemotherapy side effects, though clinical applications remain in early stages.
Summary
This review article examines hydrogen gas as a potential tool in cancer treatment. Researchers found that hydrogen gas may work through multiple mechanisms—reducing inflammation, decreasing harmful molecules in cells, and directly slowing cancer cell growth. The review also suggests hydrogen gas might help reduce side effects from standard chemotherapy drugs, though the authors note this field is still very early and more research is needed.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review of existing research rather than a new study, and the authors emphasize that hydrogen gas applications in cancer are still nascent. Most evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, not human trials. Anyone considering hydrogen gas as part of cancer care should discuss it with their oncologist, as this is not yet an established treatment.
Abstract
Gas signaling molecules (GSMs), composed of oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc., play critical roles in regulating signal transduction and cellular homeostasis. Interestingly, through various administrations, these molecules also exhibit potential in cancer treatment. Recently, hydrogen gas (formula: H2) emerges as another GSM which possesses multiple bioactivities, including anti-inflammation, anti-reactive oxygen species, and anti-cancer. Growing evidence has shown that hydrogen gas can either alleviate the side effects caused by conventional chemotherapeutics, or suppress the growth of cancer cells and xenograft tumor, suggesting its broad potent application in clinical therapy. In the current review, we summarize these studies and discuss the underlying mechanisms. The application of hydrogen gas in cancer treatment is still in its nascent stage, further mechanistic study and the development of portable instruments are warranted.