HYD LLC for Cancer Research and Drug Development (HYD or the Company) today announces two independent review papers in Nutrients –  Deuterium-Depleted Water in Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Experimental Trials (https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091397) and Frontiers in Pharmacology – The Biological Impact of Deuterium and Therapeutic Potential of Deuterium-depleted Water (https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1431204). These review papers culminate 30 years of research into Deuterium Depleted Water (DDW) and set out the role of Deuterium-Depleted Water (DDW) in regulating cell division and cancer growth.

The review papers, which assessed almost 200 studies, observed that DDW can inhibit the proliferation of different tumour cell lines and suppress the migratory capability of cancer cells, the cause of metastases, and the spread of cancer through the body. Furthermore, DDW can cause changes to cell cycle regulation, including promoting autophagy, apoptosis, and senescence. More specifically, the review papers identified a series of genes, some upregulated, others downregulated by DDW. The cited prospective and retrospective clinical studies show complete and partial tumour regression, longer survival, and a sharp reduction of cancer recurrence. 

The proposed mechanism of action for DDW in cancer is based on the different isotopic properties of Hydrogen (H) and Deuterium (D), the latter of which has not only one proton but also a neutron in its nucleus. Owing to the 100% mass difference between H and D, the two isotopes behave differently in chemical reactions, e.g., D bonds are stronger than H bonds. In water (H₂O) and indeed all molecules, the hydrogen (H) bonds break 8-10x more readily than deuterium (D) bonds.

As such, in certain cellular processes where hydrogen is pumped out of the cell (sodium/hydrogen exchange), there is a preference to eliminate hydrogen over the heavy isotope deuterium. Over time, this results in the accumulation of deuterium atoms in the cell, and the D: H ratio increases. As the concentration of deuterium rises above the threshold level (150 parts per million (ppm)), it triggers cell division¹.

Exacerbating the accumulation of deuterium is the well-defined disruption of mitochondria function that occurs in tumour cells^2,3,4. Mitochondria – the energy production organelles of a cell – have a multi-stage process (called the Szent-Györgyi – Krebs cycle or TCA cycle) for producing energy that can be used by the cell for many processes. However, in tumour cells, the mitochondrial TCA cycle is inhibited, and the natural deuterium-depleting function of mitochondria is damaged. The natural production of deuterium-depleted metabolic water in fully functional mitochondria (in healthy cells), is central to keeping the deuterium levels below the critical threshold.

In HYD’s earlier Phase 2, double-blind, randomized trial, out of 44 patients undergoing conventional cancer therapy for prostate cancer, 22 patients also received DDW over 4 months, with the remaining 22 patients receiving a placebo. The results showed that patients receiving DDW had a significantly greater reduction in prostate size compared to the placebo group – on average, down 160cm³ versus 54cm³.

Furthermore, the one-year survival rates were 20 out of the 22 in the DDW arm of the study but only 13 out of 22 in the placebo group; as such, only 2 died in the DDW arm, and 9 in the placebo group.

“We are on the cusp of a significant breakthrough in cancer therapy that adopts a novel, first-in-class approach based in quantum physics, rather than the traditional biology or chemistry. Deuterium-depleted water has been shown to regulate a series of genes associated with cancer development, suppressing tumor growth, regulating cell metabolism and proliferation, and potentially reducing the rates of or even preventing cancer. While there is clear evidence of DDW treating cancer as a stand-alone modality, we envisage its application to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment in combination with other therapies.”

Gábor Somlyai, CEO and founder of HYD

Humanity is now on the verge of translating basic research into safe and effective cancer treatments. HYD is currently seeking investors and/or pharmaceutical companies to conduct a pivotal Phase II/III human clinical study with one of the following tumours: glioblastoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. The results from this study—if positive—would pave the route to full regulatory marketing approval for DDW as a cancer treatment.

References:

1. G. Somlyai, G. Jancsó, G. Jákli, K. Vass, B. Barna, V. Lakics és T. Gaál, „Naturally occurring deuterium is essential for the normal growth rate of cells,” FEBS Lett., 317, pp. 1-4, 1993.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8428617/
2. Robert L. Elliott, Xian P. Jiang, Jonathan F. Head, Want to Cure Cancer? Then Revisit the Past; “Warburg Was Correct” , Cancer Is a Metabolic Disease, Journal of Cancer Therapy, 2014, 5, 297- 305 Disease https://www.scirp.org/pdf/JCT_2014032510513048.pdf
3. Seyfried TN, Flores RE, Poff AM, D’Agostino DP. Cancer as a metabolic disease: implications for novel therapeutics. Carcinogenesis. 2014 Mar;35(3):515-27. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgt480. Epub 2013 Dec 16. PMID: 24343361; PMCID: PMC3941741. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941741/
4. G. Somlyai. Deuterium depletion – A New Way in Curing Cancer and Preserve Health (Amazon.com)