Advances in Research and Prospective Applications of Molecular Hydrogen in Cancer Therapy

Molecular hydrogen, as an emerging therapeutic approach, has made significant progress in the field of cancer treatment over the past five years. Multiple in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated that molecular hydrogen has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regulatory impacts on cellular signaling pathways. It can selectively eliminate hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite anions, reducing oxidative stress damage to cells and possibly preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells. From a molecular mechanism viewpoint, molecular hydrogen influences the metabolism and survival conditions of cancer cells through regulating signaling pathways. In animal model studies, molecular hydrogen intervention enhanced the body's anti-tumor immune response and improved the tumor microenvironment. In terms of application prospects, molecular hydrogen therapy has shown the advantages of low toxicity and high biological safety, and can be combined with traditional cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy to reduce their side effects and potentially enhance treatment efficacy. However, cancer treatment with molecular hydrogen still encounters challenges, like the administration method, dosage control, and the specific action mechanisms of hydrogen in various types of cancer, which require further clarification.