Hydrogen Inhalation Helps Advanced Cancer Patients Live Better
Real world survey' of hydrogen-controlled cancer: A follow-up report of 82 advanced cancer patients
Research hubs: Respiratory System
- Evidence type
- Uncontrolled trial (single-arm or pilot) · Human study
- Authors
- Ke-Cheng Xu, Ji-Bing Chen, Xiao-Feng Kong, You-Yong Lv, Shu-Cun Qin, Xue-Jun Sun, Feng Mu, Tian-Yu Lu
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 31552873
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 82
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- hydrogen inhalation for 3-46 months follow-up
- H₂ concentration
- 66.7% H2
- Duration
- 46 months
- Funding
- No external funding declared
- Conflicts of interest
- None declared
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 47 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas improved quality of life and slowed cancer progression in some patients with advanced cancer, without causing serious side effects.
Key Finding
In 82 advanced cancer patients receiving hydrogen inhalation therapy, 57.5% achieved disease control (cancer stabilization or shrinkage) within 21-80 days, with significantly better outcomes in stage III patients (83% disease control) compared to stage IV patients (47.7%).
Summary
Researchers followed 82 patients with advanced cancer (stages III and IV) who inhaled hydrogen gas for 3 to 46 months. Within 4 weeks, patients reported improvements in fatigue, sleep problems, loss of appetite, and pain. About 42% of patients showed overall physical improvement, and 57.5% had some control of their cancer's progression. The treatment appeared to work better for lung cancer patients and less effectively for pancreatic and liver cancer patients. No serious blood-related side effects occurred, though a few patients experienced minor temporary reactions.
Practical Takeaway
This early human evidence suggests hydrogen inhalation may help advanced cancer patients manage symptoms like fatigue and pain, and possibly slow cancer progression—though the study had no control group for comparison, and results varied greatly by cancer type. Much larger, more rigorous trials are needed before hydrogen can be considered an established cancer treatment. Anyone with cancer should discuss any new treatment, including hydrogen therapy, with their oncologist.
Abstract (excerpt)
Advanced cancer treatment is a huge challenge and new ideas and strategies are required. Hydrogen exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that may be exploited to control cancer, the occurrence and progression of which is closely related to peroxidation and inflammation. We conducted…