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Hydrazine sulfate is not an approved cancer treatment. It has been shown to increase the incidence of some cancers.
Hydrazine sulfate is a chemical used in industrial manufacturing of agricultural chemicals and rocket fuel. Supporters of this therapy make the false claim that hydrazine sulfate limits the ability of tumor cells to make glucose, an important source of their energy, from body stores. In theory, this would also prevent the accelerated breakdown of protein in the body that causes cachexia (wasting) in patients with advanced cancer. However, this effect has never been shown in humans. Hydrazine sulfate was able to inhibit the growth of some tumors in laboratory animals when used alone or with chemotherapy drugs, but this effect has also not been shown in humans. Furthermore, hydrazine sulfate has been shown to increase the incidence of breast, lung, and liver cancers and basal cell carcinoma.
Hydrazine sulfate is commercially available in the United States, but it is illegal to use it as a cancer therapy. It is classified as a potential carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Purported Uses
To prevent wasting (cachexia), maintain weight, and increase appetite in patients with advanced cancer
There is no scientific evidence to support this use.
To treat cancer
Clinical trials do not support this use, and one actually showed that hydrazine sulfate was worse than no treatment at all.
Side Effects
Nausea
Itching
Dizziness
Sedation
Peripheral neuropathies
Low blood sugar
Insomnia
There have been isolated cases of liver and kidney failure and encephalopathy.
Multiple basal cell carcinomas were reported in a 68-year-old man following extensive exposure to hydrazine sulfate.
A synthetic chemical (H4N2-H2SO4) primarily used in industrial manufacturing (e.g. agricultural chemicals, rocket fuel, etc), hydrazine sulfate is used to treat cancer, maintain or gain weight, and ameliorate cancer-related cachexia. It is thought to interfere with gluconeogenesis via the inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (1). It has moderate monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO-I) activity (3).
Animal studies suggest that hydrazine is carcinogenic, although it is not established in humans. Several large randomized clinical trials failed to show significant benefit from hydrazine supplementation (7)(8)(9) to alleviate cancer-related cachexia (10) or to improve cancer survival.
Potential adverse effects include nausea, pruritus, dizziness, peripheral neuropathies, hypoglycemia and insomnia (4). Case reports detailing fatal hepatorenal failure (5) and encephalopathy (6) exist in the literature. Potential drug interactions include increased hydrazine toxicity when combined with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol (1)(4). Theoretically, foods high in tyramine content, meperidine, sympathomimetics, and dextromethorphan should be avoided due to MAO-I activity (3).
Hydrazine sulfate is classified as a potential carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Purported Uses
Cancer treatment
Cancer-related cachexia
Weight gain
Weight maintenance
Mechanism of Action
Hydrazine sulfate is thought to inhibit phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, an enzyme involved with the Cori cycle for gluconeogenesis from anaerobically metabolized lactic acid. Hydrazine therapy is used to antagonize the inappropriate activation of gluconeogenesis pathways, reduce excessive gluconeogenesis, and improve glucose tolerance particularly in patients with cancer and cancer-related cachexia (1). Hydrazine also has been shown to be a weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor (3). Inhibition and stabilization of glioblastoma cell growth was seen in vitro and in animal models (4), but significance in humans is unknown. Hydrazine sulfate appears to have no effect on prostate cancer cell lines in vitro (2).
Contraindications
Patients with diabetes should use this product with caution due to potential hypoglycemic effects.
Case reports:
Hepatorenal failure (5) and encephalopathy (6) have been reported with use of hydrazine sulfate.
Multiple basal cell carcinoma has been associated with extensive exposure to hydrazine sulfate in a 68-year-old man (11).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Benzodiazepines: Increased toxicity of hydrazine suggested (1)(4). Sympathomimetics: Theoretical interaction due to monoamine oxidase inhibition caused by hydrazine. Potential for hypertensive crisis (3).
Chlebowski RT, et al. Hydrazine sulfate: clinical pharmacokinetics and influence on in vitro growth of human glioblastoma cell lines. Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res 1985;26:1002.
