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Hydrogen in Patients With Corticosteroid-Refractory/Dependent Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease: A Single-Arm,

Liren Qian1, Miao Liu2, Jianliang Shen1

  • 1Department of Hematology, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|December 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Hydrogen-rich water shows promise for treating chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) in patients refractory to standard therapies. This study found significant objective responses and improved survival rates with minimal side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) is a major cause of mortality post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
  • Current treatment options are limited for patients with cGVHD who are refractory or dependent on corticosteroids.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies with favorable safety profiles are urgently needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of hydrogen in patients with cGVHD.
  • To evaluate the objective response rate and survival outcomes in cGVHD patients treated with hydrogen-rich water.
  • To assess the long-term toxicity associated with hydrogen administration.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, open-label, phase 2 clinical study was conducted.
  • Patients received hydrogen-rich water orally at 4ml/kg, three times daily.
  • Responses were assessed across multiple organ systems (skin, mouth, GI, liver, eyes, lungs, joints, fascia) every 3 months.

Main Results:

  • 18 out of 24 enrolled patients (75%) achieved an objective response.
  • No significant treatment-related toxicity was observed during the study.
  • The estimated 4-year overall survival rate was 74.7%, with significantly prolonged survival in the response group (86.6% vs 0% in non-responders).

Conclusions:

  • Hydrogen demonstrates significant efficacy in treating cGVHD patients, particularly those resistant to corticosteroids.
  • Long-term administration of hydrogen appears safe and is not associated with significant adverse effects.
  • Hydrogen therapy represents a promising, well-tolerated treatment option for refractory cGVHD.

Keywords:
chronic graft-versus-host-diseasecorticosteroidgraft-versus-host-diseasehydrogenrefractory

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