Many of the allopathic modalities for stressing cancer cells beyond their viable limits show that alterations of pH, or more commonly increasing ROS are the primary mechanisms behind many chemotherapies and radiation. Is it not true that the simple act of breathing, especially with alterations in O2, CO2 and NO concentrations can modulate pH and ROS in the blood very rapidly? There is also significantly < toxicity (close to NIL)
I would imagine gas therapy with the aim of increasing ROS production or altering pH would cause the same damage to healthy tissues as cancer cells, and I cannot think of a way to target cancer cells with a 'medical gas'. Additionally, the body will attempt to maintain homostasis and a change in pH probably will not be maintained long enough to see an effect on tumor cells (at least, not before systemic damage).
Cancer cells can be tough cookies - they often already exist in hypoxic regions and adapt themselves and their environment to survive! In some cases might actually be LESS likely to suffer damage from pH alteration and ROS production than healthy tissue.
Also many chemotherapeutic agents work by blocking signal transduction cascades that are overactive in tumor cells, preventing cell division or causing DNA damange thus preventing DNA replication and inducing apoptosis. These cytotoxics will be most effective in cells that divide rapidly (ie tumor cells). Radiation can also be localised to the site of cancer cells (though some toxicity to healthy tissues is generally unavoidable). How would a gas be applied to specifically target tumours?
I would imagine gas therapy with the aim of increasing ROS production or altering pH would cause the same damage to healthy tissues as cancer cells, and I cannot think of a way to target cancer cells with a 'medical gas'. Additionally, the body will attempt to maintain homostasis and a change in pH probably will not be maintained long enough to see an effect on tumor cells (at least, not before systemic damage).
Cancer cells can be tough cookies - they often already exist in hypoxic regions and adapt themselves and their environment to survive! In some cases might actually be LESS likely to suffer damage from pH alteration and ROS production than healthy tissue.
Also many chemotherapeutic agents work by blocking signal transduction cascades that are overactive in tumor cells, preventing cell division or causing DNA damange thus preventing DNA replication and inducing apoptosis. These cytotoxics will be most effective in cells that divide rapidly (ie tumor cells). Radiation can also be localised to the site of cancer cells (though some toxicity to healthy tissues is generally unavoidable). How would a gas be applied to specifically target tumours?
Natalie and Rob, thanks. Will comb through my references again (there are a few that show cancer cells have a vulnerability at a slightly less acidic end-point then normal cells) The thought is strictly through breathing and resulting vasculature influences so the thought of the challenges with hypoxic areas are very much appreciated. Hyperbaric chamber is contemplated. Our thoughts relate more to the potential to rapidly shift concentrations, so not necessarily to simply establish an oxygen rich or increased CO2 lvl and maintain it for prolonged periods, but to shift btwn various concentrations to get swings of ROS and pH
Rob: Thanks. I had accessed another of your papers from 2009 (Oxygen Consumption Can Regulate the Growth of Tumors, a New Perspective on the Warburg Effect) around Feb this year and am chewing on your findings there...nice stuff
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