THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE POTENTIAL CANCER BENEFITS OF DRINKABLE CARBON MONOXIDE FOAM

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sony Sherpa, (MBBS) - September 30, 2024

Disclaimer: Smoking causes cancer and a host of other health issues. This article explores the potential of carbon monoxide (CO) therapy, a developing field of research, in a controlled medical setting and does not endorse smoking in any way. If you are considering CO foam therapy, consult a medical professional for personalized information about cancer treatment options.

Cancer treatment continues to be a pressing challenge, with millions of lives affected worldwide. An unexpected breakthrough approach is emerging from a surprise discovery in oncology. A tempered form of toxic carbon monoxide gas might change chemotherapy for many patients in the future.

Researchers discovered the potential of CO when testing a specific antitumor treatment known as an autophagy inhibitor. Results revealed a more pronounced response in smokers who naturally have elevated CO. After running several preliminary trials, they found that drinkable carbon monoxide (CO) foam can destroy cancer cells, showing great promise in the fight against this devastating disease.^[1]

This article dives into the science behind this novel therapy and its potential benefits for diverse types of cancer.

What is CO Foam Therapy?

CO foam is a novel therapy that uses Gas-Entrapping Materials (GEMs) to deliver carbon monoxide to the body. GEMs are tiny particles that can trap and release gases, making them ideal for delivering CO to specific areas of the body.^[2]

How Does it Work?

CO foam delivers controlled amounts of carbon monoxide to the body, leading to anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects under experimental conditions. Oral ingestion of the foam releases CO from the GEMs in the stomach before they enter the bloodstream.

Once in the bloodstream, CO can travel to different parts of the body, including cancerous tumors. Here, it can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote cell death through autophagy.

CO is a likely reason why smoking is controversial concerning cancer therapy, displaying both toxic and chemotherapeutic results across studies. Some statistics suggest that smokers who quit smoking have improved overall cancer survival rates by 21-35% as compared to smokers who did not. Other evidence suggests that quitting smoking earlier improves outcomes, especially for lung cancer patients.

Research has identified a correlation between carbon monoxide (CO) levels and the potential effectiveness of autophagy inhibitors in tumor shrinkage. Studies involving smokers were the first to explore this link, and they showed a positive response in terms of overall tumor reduction. However, safer alternatives are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of CO.

The Role of Autophagy in Cancer Treatment

Autophagy is part of a natural cycle in which cells break down, recycle or eliminate damaged or unnecessary components. In healthy cells, autophagy helps maintain cellular balance and can protect against cancer development. However, in cancer cells, autophagy can promote tumor growth and resistance to treatment.^[3]

CO foam therapy inhibits autophagy in tumor cells, making them vulnerable to traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. This approach has shown promising results in both animal and human studies.

CO Foam and Autophagy in Mice

In a study issued in Cancer Discovery, researchers found that CO foam therapy combined with autophagy inhibitors significantly reduced tumor growth in mice with pancreatic cancer. The mice also showed a higher rate of cancer cell death compared to those who received traditional chemotherapy alone.

A similar outcome arose in CO-treated mice with prostate cancer. The combination of CO foam and autophagy inhibitors considerably lowered tumor growth and improved survival rates.

CO Foam and Autophagy in Human Cancer Cells

In addition to animal studies, CO foam therapy has shown promising results in human cancer cells. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Science found that CO foam inhibited autophagy and promoted cell death in human pancreatic cancer cells.

The same study shows that CO foam therapy effectively inhibited autophagy and promoted cell death in human prostate cancer cells.

Other Mechanisms

Aside from autophagy, CO foam has the potential to enhance chemotherapy in two other ways:

Immune Recognition: Other experimental studies show that CO may help to reprogram the immune systems of those with cancer in a way that improves their antitumor defenses. It can enhance T lymphocytes' ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells. More research is required to assess these effects in humans.

Inhibiting Metastasis: Another benefit of CO foam therapy is its potential to lower the risk of metastasis. Metastasis is the transformation and travel of cancer cells from a primary tumor to other body parts, resulting in a second tumor. One study posted in the journal Cancer Letters shows that low-dose CO prevents the migration of metastatic cells from the original tumor.

Potential Benefits for Diverse Types of Cancer

One of the most exciting aspects of CO foam therapy is its potential to benefit the treatment of diverse types of cancer, especially in prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancer treatment.

CO foam cancer treatment offers several additional advantages, including improved efficacy of many therapies, lower risk of metastasis, potential for targeted therapy, and personalized medicine.

Improved Chemo and Radio Therapy: One of the most significant advantages of CO foam therapy is its ability to enhance the efficacy of traditional cancer treatments. By inhibiting autophagy in cancer cells, CO foam therapy makes them more susceptible to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. This enhancement can lead to better outcomes and increased effectiveness in fighting the disease.

Streamlined Targeted Therapy: CO foam therapy also holds promise for targeted therapy. Gas-Entrapping Materials (GEMs) allow carbon monoxide delivery to specific areas of the body. This targeted approach can minimize damage to healthy cells and tissues while focusing on cancerous tumors. This targeted therapy can potentially improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects.

Use in Personalized Medicine: CO foam therapy has the potential for personalized medicine. Each patient's cancer is unique, and their response to treatment can vary. CO foam therapy can be tailored to individual patients, taking into account the specific type of cancer and its characteristics. This personalized approach may optimize treatment outcomes and improve patient care.

Risks and Challenges of CO Foam Therapy

While CO foam therapy has shown promising results in animal and human studies, it is still one of many experimental cancer therapies requiring further research. Researchers are actively addressing risks and challenges to bring this therapy closer to mainstream cancer treatment.

CO Therapy Risks

One of the main risks of CO foam therapy is the potential for CO poisoning. While the controlled release of CO in the body is safe, too much CO can be toxic and even fatal. Overdosing on CO therapy might give rise to side effects of CO poisoning, such as dizziness, shortness of breath, or muscle weakness.^[4]

Therefore, it is crucial to carefully monitor the dosage and delivery of CO foam to ensure patient safety.

CO Foam Development

Another challenge is the development of CO foam as a viable treatment option. While the concept has shown promising results in studies, there is still a long way to go before it can pass as a mainstream cancer treatment. More research and development are needed to refine the delivery and dosage of CO foam and ensure its safety and effectiveness.

Hope for the Future of Cancer Treatment

Despite the challenges, researchers are hopeful about the potential of CO foam therapy as a cancer treatment. Findings from animal and human studies are promising. The diverse potential of this therapy offers hope for a more effective and universal cure for cancer.^[5]

Conclusion

Cancer devastates the lives of millions of people worldwide. While traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation have shown some success, there is still a need for more effective and universal treatments. CO foam therapy offers a promising solution, with its ability to inhibit autophagy and promote cell death in diverse types of cancer. While there are still risks and challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of CO foam therapy make it an exciting prospect for the future of cancer treatment. With continued research and development, CO foam therapy could be a game-changer in the fight against cancer.

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