What Researchers Did
Researchers randomized 30 mice with LNCaP prostate cancer cells to receive either 20 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen or normobaric air to assess its effect on tumor growth.
What They Found
After 28 days, tumor volume was 120 +/- 7.9 mm3 in the hyperbaric oxygen group and 122 +/- 8.2 mm3 in the control group. No significant differences were observed between the groups for tumor volume, microvessel density, or markers of apoptosis and proliferation (P > 0.05), indicating hyperbaric oxygen did not promote tumor growth.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This preclinical study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen may not promote the growth of indolent prostate cancer, which could be reassuring for patients considering this therapy for other conditions. However, these findings are from a mouse model and require further research in human patients before definitive clinical recommendations can be made.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A primary limitation is that this study was conducted in a mouse model, limiting direct generalizability to human patients.