RESEARCH: HBOT in CANCER (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) - 2025 Review Paper From Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

Key Takeaways

• HBOT improves tumor oxygenation, enhancing radiotherapy efficacy
• Preclinical studies show HBOT reduces hypoxia‑driven drug resistance
• Clinical trials report modest survival gains in head‑neck cancers
• Safety profile remains favorable with low incidence of barotrauma
• Combination protocols pair HBOT with immunotherapy for synergistic effects

Pulse Analysis

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, long used for wound healing, is gaining attention in oncology for its ability to modulate tumor microenvironments. By delivering 100% oxygen at pressures up to 2.5 atmospheres, HBOT temporarily raises intratumoral oxygen levels, counteracting hypoxia—a key driver of radio‑ and chemoresistance. The Sichuan University review collates animal studies where HBOT restored sensitivity to DNA‑damaging agents, and it highlights mechanistic insights such as reduced HIF‑1α activity and enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, which together sensitize cancer cells to treatment.

Clinical evidence, though still emerging, suggests HBOT can translate these biological benefits into measurable patient outcomes. Phase II trials in head‑and‑neck squamous cell carcinoma demonstrated a 5‑7% absolute increase in three‑year disease‑free survival when HBOT was added to standard radiotherapy. Similar trends appear in glioblastoma and soft‑tissue sarcoma cohorts, albeit with smaller sample sizes. Importantly, adverse events remain rare, with barotrauma occurring in less than 2% of participants, underscoring HBOT’s favorable safety profile compared with many systemic adjuncts.

Looking ahead, researchers are exploring HBOT’s synergy with immunotherapies, hypothesizing that improved oxygenation may enhance T‑cell infiltration and checkpoint inhibitor efficacy. Ongoing trials are testing sequential HBOT and PD‑1 blockade in melanoma and lung cancer, aiming to establish protocols that maximize therapeutic windows while minimizing toxicity. If these studies confirm early signals, HBOT could be positioned as a cost‑effective, non‑pharmacologic enhancer across a spectrum of oncologic regimens, reshaping standard-of‑care pathways.