Oxygen Therapies

Hyperbaric (HBOT) & Ozone

Benefits of a 100-year-old Therapy

Many patients have benefited from this 100-year-old therapy.  HBOT is considered beneficial by mainstream medicine for 13 specific conditions but is not yet recognized for its cancer healing possibilities. In fact, conventional research has tried to determine whether HBOT actually promotes cancer. In study after study, however, this hypothesis has been proven to be a myth. 

HBOT

HBOT is thought to affect cancer cells because it increases oxygen in tissues.  Most cancers thrive in low oxygen conditions (hypoxia).  “Hypoxia is a critical hallmark of solid tumors that enhances (cancer) cell survival, angiogenesis, glycolytic metabolism, and metastasis,” states a report on HBO published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). “Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment has for centuries been used to improve or cure disorders involving hypoxia and ischemia, by enhancing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the plasma and thereby increasing O2 delivery to the tissue.”

High levels of oxygen can promote the growth of new blood vessels. This increase does not affect the growth of cancer cells because most cancer cell growth happens through anaerobic (non-oxygen) activity.  Oxygen interferes with this process. Nobel Prize-winning cell biologist Otto Warburg discovered this unique cancer fact back in the 1930’s.

Carl Feldemeier and associates, in their article entitled “Hyperbaric Oxygen: Does It Promote Growth or Recurrence of Malignancy?” concluded that “the published literature on tumor angiogenesis mechanisms and other possible mechanisms of cancer causation or accelerated growth provides little basis for HBOT to enhance malignant growth or metastases. A history of malignancy should not be considered a contraindication for HBOT therapy.” (Undersea Hyperb Med2003 Spring; 30(1):1-18.). Beatcancer.org dispels myths about HBOT and cancer. 

HBOT decreases inflammation in the body.  The C- reactive protein (CRP) blood test measures overall inflammatory in the body.  Elevated results are commonly reported in cancer patients. 

HBOT has shown to be helpful with neurological issues, inflammation, skin conditions, cancer prevention and treatment support.  HBOT can inhibit and reduce cancer growth in some cancer types but hasn’t been as successful with cervical and bladder cancers.  Used in conjunction with high dose vitamin C IV’s has helped support many of our patients’ journey back to health.  Treatment costs per session range from $100-$250.  Package plans are available. At present we are referring patients to Urban Wellness Group in Portland for HBOT, (503) 445-9771 (LINK TO THEIR WEBSITE- https://www.urbanwellnesspdx.com/services/hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment).

OZONE

Prestigious journals have published studies on the capacity of ozone to induce direct damage on tumor cells and enhance the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 

Ozone has been used medically for over 100 years for its immune support, antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects.  According to Otto Warburg, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1931, “Cancer has only one prime cause…the replacement of normal oxygen respiration of body cells by an anaerobic (oxygen-less) cell respiration.”  Unlike oxygen, which is two oxygen molecules joined together, ozone has three making it unstable and able to challenge cancer cells that have evolved to survive in an anaerobic (no/low oxygen) environment. 

Research has also shown that while in an oxygen-rich environment, healthy cells produce an enzymatic protective layer around themselves that repels viruses, bacteria, and fungi, all potential precursors to the development of cancer. Ozone targets cancer cells that do not have this protective cell membrane layer, contributing to apoptosis (death) of the unhealthy cells. Ozone therefore contributes to the formation of healthy cells as well as the destruction of unhealthy ones.

Ozone therapy is performed 1-2 times weekly. It ranges in cost from $60 to $400+ depending on delivery method. 

References

(1966) Van den Brenak, et al. “RESULTS FROM TOURNIQUET ANOXIA AND HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TECHNIQUES COMBINED WITH MEGAVOLTAGE TREATMENT OF SARCOMAS Of bone and soft tissue.” From the Radiobiological and Hyperbaric Oxygen Research Units, Cancer Institute Board, Melbourne, Australia. March 1966, Pgs 760-766.

(1972) Dische S, Senanayake F. “Radiotherapy using hyperbaric oxygen in the palliation of carcinoma of colon and rectum.” Clin Radiol. 1972;23:512–518. doi: 10.1016/S0009-9260(72)80032-1

(1998) Kalns J, Krock L, Piepmeier E., Jr. “The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on growth and chemosensitivity of metastatic prostate cancer.” Anticancer Res. 1998;18:363–367.

(2002) Harris AL. “Hypoxia—a key regulatory factor in tumor growth.” Nat Rev Cancer. 2002;2:38–47. doi: 10.1038/nrc704

(2003) Perte, et al.  “Hyperbaric oxygen as a chemotherapy adjuvant in the treatment of metastatic lung tumors in a rat model.”  The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Volume 125, Issue 1, January 2003, Pages 85-95

(2003) Shannon AM, Bouchier-Hayes DJ, Condron CM, Toomey D. “Tumour hypoxia, chemotherapeutic resistance and hypoxia-related therapies.” Cancer Treat Rev. 2003;29:297–307. doi: 10.1016/S0305-7372(03)00003-3

(2005) Hjelde A, Gederaas OA, Krokan HE, Brubakk AO. “Lack of effect of hyperoxia on photodynamic therapy and lipid peroxidation in three different cancer cell lines.” Med Sci Monit. 2005;11:BR351–BR356.

(2007) Raa A, Stansberg C, Steen VM, Bjerkvig R, Reed RK, Stuhr LE. “Hyperoxia retards growth and induces apoptosis and loss of glands and blood vessels in DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors.” BMC Cancer. 2007;7:23. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-7-23.

(2007) Stuhr LE, Raa A, Oyan AM, Kalland KH, Sakariassen PO, Petersen K, Bjerkvig R, Reed RK. “Hyperoxia retards growth and induces apoptosis, changes in vascular density and gene expression in transplanted gliomas in nude rats.” J Neurooncol. 2007;85:191–202. doi: 10.1007/s11060-007-9407-2.

(2007) Tonomura N, Granowitz EV. “Hyperbaric oxygen: a potential new therapy for leukemia?” Leuk Res. 2007;31:745–746. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2006.11.020

(2009) Tie Fu Liu, Jiaozhong Cai, Denise M. Gibo and Waldemar Debinski.  “Reoxygenation of Hypoxic Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Potentiates the Killing Effect of an Interleukin-13-Based Cytotoxin.” Clinical Cancer Research. DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-2151 Published January 2009.

(2009) Moen I, Tronstad KJ, Kolmannskog O, Salvesen GS, Reed RK, Stuhr LE. “Hyperoxia increases the uptake of 5-fluorouracil in mammary tumors independently of changes in interstitial fluid pressure and tumor stroma.” BMC Cancer. 2009;9:446. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-446

(2009) Kawasoe Y, Yokouchi M, Ueno Y, Iwaya H, Yoshida H, Komiya S. “Hyperbaric oxygen as a chemotherapy adjuvant in the treatment of osteosarcoma.” Oncol Rep. 2009;22:1045–1050

(2009) Suzuki Y, Tanaka K, Negishi D, Shimizu M, Yoshida Y, Hashimoto T, Yamazaki H. “Pharmacokinetic investigation of increased efficacy against malignant gliomas of carboplatin combined with hyperbaric oxygenation.” Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2009;49:193–197. doi: 10.2176/nmc.49.193.

(2009) Ohguri T, Imada H, Narisada H, Yahara K, Morioka T, Nakano K, Miyaguni Y, Korogi Y. “Systemic chemotherapy using paclitaxel and carboplatin plus regional hyperthermia and hyperbaric oxygen treatment for non-small cell lung cancer with multiple pulmonary metastases: preliminary results.” Int J Hyperthermia. 2009;25:160–167. doi: 10.1080/02656730802610357.

(2010) Selvendiran K, Kuppusamy ML, Ahmed S, Bratasz A, Meenakshisundaram G, Rivera BK, Khan M, Kuppusamy P. “Oxygenation inhibits ovarian tumor growth by downregulating STAT3 and cyclin-D1 expressions.” Cancer Biol Ther. 2010;10:386–390. doi: 10.4161/cbt.10.4.12448 

(2012) Moen, Ingrid, and Linda E B Stuhr. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cancer--a review.” Targeted oncology vol. 7,4 (2012): 233-42. doi:10.1007/s11523-012-0233-x

(2013) Ogawa K, et al.  “Old but new methods in radiation oncology: hyperbaric oxygen therapy.” Int J Clin Oncol. 2013 Jun;18(3):364-70. doi: 10.1007/s10147-013-0537-6. Epub 2013 Mar 5.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23463521

(2014) Peng, Hai-Shan, et al. “Synergistic inhibitory effect of hyperbaric oxygen combined with sorafenib on hepatoma cells.”  PloS one vol. 9,6 e100814. 23 Jun. 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100814.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4067386/

(2015) Bennett MH, Feldmeier J, Hampson NB, Smee R, Milross C. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for late radiation tissue injury.”  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005005. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005005.pub4

(2016) Stępień, Katarzyna et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive therapy in treatment of malignancies, including brain tumours.” Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) vol. 33,9 (2016): 101. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4971045/

(2016) Yahara, Katsuya et al. “Radiotherapy using IMRT boosts after hyperbaric oxygen therapy with chemotherapy for glioblastoma.” Journal of radiation research vol. 58,3 (2016): 351-356.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440883/

(2017) Singh, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation-Related CNS Necrosis in Children with Brain Tumors: A Single Institution Experience.” International Journal of Radiation Oncology  Biology  Physics, 3360.

(2018) Huang, Lei et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjunctive strategy in treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.” Medical gas research vol. 8,1 24-28. 18 Apr. 2018, doi:10.4103/2045-9912.229600https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5937300/

(2018) “NCI Awards Omar Aljitawi, M.D., $1M to Study Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cancer.” University of Rochester. Multiple Myeloma. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/5334/nci-awards-omar-aljitawi-m.d.-1m-to-study-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-for-cancer.aspx

(2018) Bennett MH, Feldmeier J, Smee R, Milross C. “Hyperbaric oxygenation for tumour sensitisation to radiotherapy.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005007. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005007.pub4

(2021) Li YC, Chen CH, Chang CL, Chiang JY, Chu CH, Chen HH, Yip HK. “Melatonin and hyperbaric oxygen therapies suppress colorectal carcinogenesis through pleiotropic effects and multifaceted mechanisms.” Int J Biol Sci. 2021 Aug 27;17(14):3728-3744. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.62280. PMID: 34671196; PMCID: PMC8495382.

(2021) Chen, SY., Tsuneyama, K., Yen, MH. et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen suppressed tumor progression through the improvement of tumor hypoxia and induction of tumor apoptosis in A549-cell-transferred lung cancer.” Sci Rep 11, 12033 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91454-2

(2021) Alpuim Costa D, Amaro CE, Nunes A, Cardoso JS, Daniel PM, Rosa I, Branco JV. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a complementary treatment for radiation proctitis: Useless or useful? - A literature review.” World J Gastroenterol. 2021 Jul 21;27(27):4413-4428. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i27.4413. PMID: 34366613; PMCID: PMC8316904. 

(2022) Geldof, N.I., van Hulst, R.A., Ridderikhof, M.L. et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for late radiation-induced tissue toxicity in treated gynaecological cancer patients: a systematic review.” Radiat Oncol 17, 164 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-022-02067-6

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