Hydrogen Gas Promotes Apoptosis in Lab Lung Cancer Cells
Hydrogen gas promotes apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis and baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis protein repeat-containing 3
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (cell culture)
- Journal
- Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
- Year
- 2022
- PMID
- 36204886
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Participants
- 15
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 60% hydrogen gas inhalation for 3 weeks
- H₂ concentration
- 60% H2 gas
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 11 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can increase the self-destruction of lung cancer cells and shrink tumors in mice.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas increased lung cancer cell death in laboratory and animal studies by reducing levels of two anti-apoptotic proteins (XIAP and BIRC3), achieving tumor-reducing effects similar to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas could kill lung cancer cells in laboratory dishes and in mice. They found that hydrogen gas increased the death rate of lung cancer cells and reduced tumor size in mice, working through a mechanism that involves turning down proteins that normally protect cancer cells from dying. The effect was comparable to cisplatin, a standard chemotherapy drug.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage research in cells and mice suggests hydrogen gas may have potential against lung cancer, but these are preliminary findings that have not been tested in humans. Much more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about hydrogen's usefulness as a cancer treatment in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objective: Lung cancer is currently the cancer with the highest incidence and death toll worldwide. Hydrogen gas has been found to affect a variety of diseases; however, the effect of hydrogen gas on patients with lung cancer has not been reported. Therefore, we determined the effect of hydrogen…