# Antitumoral Activity of Molecular Hydrogen and Proton in the Treatment of Glioblastoma: An Atypical Pharmacology?
> 神経膠芽腫に対する分子状水素とプロトンの抗腫瘍活性：非典型的な薬理学的考察


## Abstract

This review examines the antitumor properties of molecular hydrogen (H2) and protons (H+) with a focus on glioblastoma (GBM). H2 exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic characteristics that have been documented across multiple experimental and clinical investigations. In animal models, H2 inhalation suppressed GBM tumor growth and prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice. At the cellular level, H2 reduced the sphere-forming capacity of glioma cells and inhibited their migration, invasion, and colony formation. Separately, proton beam radiotherapy was noted to offer certain advantages over conventional photon-based conformal approaches for central nervous system malignancies. The review highlights an emerging pharmacological framework in which both H2 and proton-based modalities may contribute to GBM management.

### Mechanism

H2 selectively scavenges free radicals and is proposed to suppress glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic pathways.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Rochette L, Dogon G, Zeller M, Cottin Y, Vergely C
- **Journal**: Brain Sci
- **Year**: 2023 (2023-08-05)
- **PMID**: [37626524](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37626524/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/brainsci13081168](https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13081168)
- **PMC**: [PMC10452570](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10452570/)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: inhalation
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

For inhalation applications of molecular hydrogen, the lower flammability limit (LFL) deserves careful handling. The classical 4% figure applies to closed-system mixtures; the practical inhalation-environment threshold is 10%. Even pure-hydrogen output (the UFL 75% paradox) passes through the flammable range at the air–gas boundary. High-concentration (66% / 100%) inhalers are documented in the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency accident-information database and are not recommended.

## Safety notes

For inhalation applications of molecular hydrogen, the lower flammability limit (LFL) deserves careful handling. The classical 4% figure applies to closed-system mixtures; the practical inhalation-environment threshold is 10%. Even pure-hydrogen output (the UFL 75% paradox) passes through the flammable range at the air–gas boundary. High-concentration (66% / 100%) inhalers are documented in the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency accident-information database and are not recommended.

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [LFL / UFL terminology](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lfl-ufl-explained)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 37626524. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/37626524
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [37626524](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37626524/)