Molecular hydrogen has demonstrated some potentially promising effects in cancer therapy. However, this is based on several small clinical trials and case reports and requires more research.[1]
In 20 patients with stage III or IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who refused standard treatment, inhaled hydrogen reportedly led to significantly reduced respiratory symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath, cough, chest pain) and prolonged progression-free survival time compared to a placebo (7.9 months vs 4.4 months). Hydrogen gas (66.7% hydrogen and 33.3% oxygen) was inhaled for 4 to 6 hours daily over 5 months.[2] Similarly, another clinical trial in patients with stage IV lung cancer reported that inhaled hydrogen (~3 hours daily) in addition to standard treatment (nivolumab) led to prolonged overall survival compared to standard treatment alone.[3][4]
In one clinical trial, patients with liver cancer who were undergoing radiation drank 1.5 L to 2 L (1,500 mL to 2,000 mL) of hydrogen-rich water daily (0.55–0.65 millimolar) for 6 weeks and reported reduced side effects of radiation (appetite loss and altered taste), had improved oxidative stress biomarkers, and showed no difference in tumor response to radiation.[5]
More research is needed to confirm the validity of these findings, but a few trials have suggested that hydrogen may alter immune function in a way that could improve cancer prognosis.[6]
References
- ^Mohd Noor MNZ, Alauddin AS, Wong YH, Looi CY, Wong EH, Madhavan P, Yeong CHA Systematic Review of Molecular Hydrogen Therapy in Cancer Management.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev.(2023 Jan 1)
- ^Chen JB, Kong XF, Mu F, Lu TY, Lu YY, Xu KCHydrogen therapy can be used to control tumor progression and alleviate the adverse events of medications in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Med Gas Res.(2020 Apr-Jun)
- ^Akagi J, Baba HHydrogen gas restores exhausted CD8+ T cells in patients with advanced colorectal cancer to improve prognosis.Oncol Rep.(2019 Jan)
- ^Akagi J, Baba HHydrogen gas activates coenzyme Q10 to restore exhausted CD8(+) T cells, especially PD-1(+)Tim3(+)terminal CD8(+) T cells, leading to better nivolumab outcomes in patients with lung cancer.Oncol Lett.(2020 Nov)
- ^Kang KM, Kang YN, Choi IB, Gu Y, Kawamura T, Toyoda Y, Nakao AEffects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumors.Med Gas Res.(2011 Jun 7)
- ^Johnsen HM, Hiorth M, Klaveness JMolecular Hydrogen Therapy-A Review on Clinical Studies and Outcomes.Molecules.(2023 Nov 26)