How ozone contributes to the destruction of cancerous cells, and the formation of healthy ones.
Editor’s Note: An introduction to ozone therapy in veterinary medicine was published in the Winter 2018 issue of IVC Journal. Read Dr. Margo Roman’s article, “Ozone therapy: a way to build and maintain health”, at ivcjournal.com/ozone-therapy-health/ for a comprehensive summary of mechanisms of action, benefits and uses, delivery systems, and methods of administration.
Biochemistry of ozone and cancer
Discovered in the mid-19th century, ozone has been used medically for over 100 years for its immune-modulating, antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects.1 “Cancer has only one prime cause…the replacement of normal oxygen respiration of body cells by an anaerobic (oxygen-less) cell respiration,”2 concluded Otto Warburg, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1931. The three-oxygen, unstable molecular structure of ozone challenges cancer cells that have evolved to survive in an anaerobic environment. Research has also shown that while in an oxygen-rich environment, healthy cells produce an enzymatic protective layer around themselves that repels viruses, bacteria, and fungi,2 all potential precursors to the development of cancer. Ozone targets cancer cells that do not have this protective cell membrane layer, contributing to apoptosis of the unhealthy cells. Ozone therefore contributes to the formation of healthy cells as well as the destruction of unhealthy ones.
Modes of delivery for veterinary cancer patients
A note on therapy frequency
Ozone therapy is performed every one to four weeks, depending on the severity of the disease. In some cases, an initial protocol of twice-weekly treatments is initiated. If indicated, daily treatments using rectal ozone or inhalation ozone can be prescribed for home use with client purchase of a home ozone generator.
UVB Ozone IV Therapy
For cancer treatments, in addition to treatments for kidney and liver disease, infectious disease, and in geriatric patients, ozonated saline and ozone gas oxygenate the blood when given back to the patient intravenously, perfusing the kidneys and liver, increasing filtration, and improving function. To prevent clotting, 3-11cc of blood is drawn from the patient (volume based on patient size) into a heparinized syringe. Bio Ocean, a liquid mineral mix, and ozonated saline and ozone gas, are added to the syringe. The Bio Ocean supports energy metabolism, acid-base equilibrium, and optimal hydration, and acts as a co-factor in enzymatic reactions.
The blood/ozone syringe is passed four to six times through a UVB light in a closed sterile system, while also mixed with ozone gas. The UVB light is a spectrum of ultraviolet light that kills viruses, bacteria, fungi and cancer cells. The UVB-ozonated blood is then given back to the patient by IV.
There are two different techniques for UVB Ozone IV Therapy. The above technique is from Dr. Margo Roman.3 Another technique from O3Vets4 describes the blood sample being placed in an IV bag, then passed through the UVB light and dripped into the patient intravenously. Alternatively, if the use of heparin needs to be avoided, a technique called the Geneva method involves the blood being pulled directly into the syringe with the ozonated saline and Bio Ocean, and diluted by rocking well.
Useful for cases of prostatic and bladder cancers, in addition to detoxification, ozone is administered rectally through a syringe or insufflation bag attached to a rectal catheter. Ozone gas is absorbed immediately via rectal tissue circulation and can go into the mitochondria of the colon columnar cells. Additionally, rectal ozone is used to reduce the biofilm in the colon prior to the Microbiome Restorative Therapy.
Ozonated saline infusions
These can be infused into the vaginal canal or urinary bladder for tumors in those locations, or subcutaneously as a general therapy. Infusions can also be used to flush eyes, ears, and wounds, soak infections, and in surgery as an abdominal rinse and throughout dental procedures. Ozone infusions help decrease the risk of infection and mitigate pain.
Ozonated gas injection
Ozonated gas can be injected directly around and under tumors to shrink them on a weekly or twice-weekly basis. It can also be injected intra-lesionally; however, the patient may experience a more severe inflammatory response with this technique. Further, ozonated gas injections can be used in conjunction with prolotherapy (called prolozone) to stimulate stem cells and bring healing to joints and other areas of inflammation, such as lick granulomas.
This method of ozone therapy is especially useful for nasal and sinus tumors, chronic rhinitis or lung cancer. Ozone gas must first be percolated through olive oil to remove noxious components that could harm the lungs, nasal passages and sinuses. When bubbled with olive oil, ozonides are produced. This avoids direct ozone gas which causes a chemical reaction with oxides in the respiratory tissues that lead to inflammation, damage and scarring. It should never be breathed directly without first performing this critical step. The ozone can then be administered to the patient using an anesthetic mask, or by making a tent in a cage.
Certification courses for veterinarians can be taken through O3Vets.4 Equipment can be purchased through Longevity Resources5, O3Vets4 , and Promolife.6
Ozone therapy provides an economical, easy-to-learn and easy-to-implement modality that enhances survival outcomes, and most importantly, quality of life, in veterinary cancer patients.
Ozone use in veterinary cancer: 6 case summaries
Tiger was a 15-year-old male neutered Yorkshire terrier presenting with a persistent severe cough, radiographic evidence of a mediastinal mass filling the entire anterior chest cavity, and extremely poor prognosis by the referring veterinarian. He was treated with UVB Ozone IV every three weeks, along with diet changes, supportive herbs and supplements. Tiger lived comfortably for another 11 months.
Elvira was a nine-year-old female spayed Rottweiler cross presenting with a history of osteosarcoma of the right forelimb treated with amputation, and lung masses a year later. She was treated with UVB Ozone IV every three to four weeks, as well as diet changes, supportive herbs and supplements. Elvira was asymptomatic for three years, with no further growth in lung masses. Four years post-diagnosis of the original osteosarcoma, she was euthanized due to metastasis to the left forelimb.
Patch was a 12-year-old male neutered border collie cross presenting with a heart base tumor with pericardial effusion and syncopal episodes. UVB Ozone IV was the only therapy used, on an alternating treatment schedule of weekly therapy for two months, followed by every other week for one month, followed by weekly again for two months. A recheck echocardiogram at five months of treatment revealed no evidence of pathology. Patch survived another three years and died of age-related problems.
Lily was a nine-year-old female spayed Maltese cross presenting with lung lobe carcinoma with pleural effusion and syncopal episodes. Treatment was initiated with rectal ozone every three days for a month. This was followed by a tapering schedule of UVB Ozone IV weekly for seven weeks, every two weeks for five months, and then every three to four weeks for 10½ months. Lily had excellent quality of life and a post-diagnosis survival time of 18½ months.
Wyatt is an 11-year-old male neutered Basenji who presented with prostate cancer in June of 2018. He has responded well to rectal ozone therapy and is currently urinating well, with only mild episodes of bloody urine and mild increase in prostate size. Daily treatments (with a minimum of three times weekly) resulted in the economic recommendation for his caregivers to purchase their own ozone generator, oxygen regulator, oxygen tank and rectal catheters.
Bonnie was a 15-year old female spayed domestic shorthair cat presenting with soft tissue sarcoma of the nasal passage. She underwent six surgeries to debulk the tumor, which would then regrow every six to eight weeks. From August 2017 until euthanasia in March 2018, her caregiver gave her daily ten-minute ozone inhalation treatments with a mask. The ozone treatments kept her comfortable and breathing well between the debulking procedures.
1Elvis, A.M. and Ekta, J.S “ Ozone Therapy: A Clinical Review”, J Nat Sci Biol Med, 2011 Jan-Jun; 2(1): 66–70.
2Goldberg, J.G “Ozone Therapy: A Powerful Cancer Treatment and Healing Therapy”, The Truth AboutCancer.com/ozone-therapy-cancer-treatment
3Roman, Margo “Ozone Therapy”, SOPMED Conference, 2015.
This article has been peer reviewed.