A Systematic Review of Molecular Hydrogen Therapy in Cancer Management

Document Type : Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors

1 School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Malaysia.

3 School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Malaysia.

Abstract

Background: Cancer remains a challenging target to cure, with present therapeutic methods unable to exhibit restorative outcomes without causing severe negative effects. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been reported to be a promising adjunctive therapy for cancer treatment, having the capability to induce anti-proliferative, anti-oxidative, pro-apoptotic and anti-tumoural effects. This review summarises the findings from various articles on the mechanism, treatment outcomes, and overall effectiveness of H2 therapy on cancer management. Methods: Using Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar as the search engines, full-text articles in the scope of the study, written in English and within 10 years of publication were selected. Results: Out of the 677 articles, 27 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria, where data was compiled into a table, outlining the general characteristics and findings. Throughout the different forms of H2 administration, study design and types of cancers reported, outcomes were found to be consistent. Conclusion: From our analysis, H2 plays a promising therapeutic role as an independent therapy as well as an adjuvant in combination therapy, resulting in an overall improvement in survivability, quality of life, blood parameters, and tumour reduction. Although more comprehensive research is needed, given the promising outcomes, H2 is worth considering for use as a complement to current cancer therapy. 

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 24, Issue 1
January 2023
Pages 37-47

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 June 2022
  • Revise Date: 22 September 2022
  • Accept Date: 07 January 2023

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