Antitumor Activity of Protons and Molecular Hydrogen: Underlying Mechanisms

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Protons (H(+)) and molecular hydrogen (H(2)) in the cell are critical in a wide variety of processes. New cancer treatment uses H(2), a biologically inactive gas. H(2) can rapidly penetrate cell membranes and reach subcellular components to protect nuclear DNA and mitochondria. H(2) reduces oxidative stress, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and acts as a modulator of apoptosis. Exogenous H(2) is a protective therapy that can be used in cancer. Cyclotrons and synchrotrons are currently used to produce protons. Proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) offers great promise for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. H(2) and different types of H(2) donors may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment. ABSTRACT: Understanding the structure and dynamics of the various hydrogen forms has been a subject of numerous studies. Protons (H(+)) and molecular hydrogen (H(2)) in the cell are critical in a wide variety of processes. A new cancer treatment uses H(2), a biologically inactive gas. Due to its small molecular weight, H(2) can rapidly penetrate cell membranes and reach subcellular components to protect nuclear DNA and mitochondria. H(2) reduces oxidative stress, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and acts as a modulator of apoptosis. Exogenous H(2), administered by inhalation, drinking H(2)-rich water, or injecting H(2)-rich saline solution, is a protective therapy that can be used in multiple diseases, including cancer. In particle therapy, cyclotrons and synchrotrons are the accelerators currently used to produce protons. Proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) offers great promise for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers due to the sharp decrease in the dose of radiation at a defined point. In these conditions, H(2) and different types of H(2) donors may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment.