Hydrogen gas restores exhausted CD8+ T cells in patients with advanced colorectal cancer to improve prognosis.
Junji Akagi, Hideo Baba · Oncology reports · 2019
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In 55 patients, hydrogen gas decreased the abundance of exhausted terminal PD‐1+ CD8+ T cells, increased that of active terminal PD‐1‐ CD8+ T cells, and improved PFS and OS times, suggesting that the balance between terminal PD1+ and PD1‐ CD8+ T cells is critical for cancer prognosis.
What the Researchers Studied
The study examined 55 patients.
How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used
The patients inhaled hydrogen gas for 3 h/day at their own homes and received chemotherapy at the Tamana Regional Health Medical Center (Tamana, Kumamoto, Japan).
What the Researchers Found
Hydrogen gas decreased the abundance of exhausted terminal PD‐1+ CD8+ T cells, increased that of active terminal PD‐1‐ CD8+ T cells, and improved PFS and OS times, suggesting that the balance between terminal PD1+ and PD1‐ CD8+ T cells is critical for cancer prognosis. The present results suggested that hydrogen gas reverses imbalances toward PD‐1+ CD8+ T cells to provide an improved prognosis.
H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings
The source material reviewed did not establish a specific molecular hydrogen mechanism for the reported findings.
Authors’ Conclusion
The authors concluded that the present results suggested that hydrogen gas reverses imbalances toward PD‐1+ CD8+ T cells to provide an improved prognosis.