Hydrazine sulfate

Hydrazine sulfate is a chemical compound with the formula (N2H4)HSO4. It is a salt of hydrazine and sulfuric acid. Hydrazine sulfate has been studied as a treatment for cancer and as a treatment for the cachexia (wasting) syndrome associated with cancer.

Chemistry[edit | edit source]

Hydrazine sulfate is a white, crystalline solid. It is soluble in water and alcohol. The compound is formed by the reaction of hydrazine with sulfuric acid. The chemical reaction can be represented as follows:

N2H4 + H2SO4 → (N2H4)HSO4

Medical Use[edit | edit source]

In the 1970s, hydrazine sulfate was proposed as a treatment for cancer, based on the hypothesis that cancer is caused by a metabolic process known as aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect. The compound was thought to inhibit this process, thereby starving cancer cells of energy. However, clinical trials conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other organizations found no evidence that hydrazine sulfate is effective as a cancer treatment.

Hydrazine sulfate has also been studied as a treatment for the cachexia syndrome, a condition that causes severe weight loss and muscle wasting in people with cancer. Some studies have suggested that the compound may help to increase appetite and weight in people with this condition. However, these findings have not been confirmed in larger, more rigorous clinical trials.

Safety[edit | edit source]

Hydrazine sulfate is a highly toxic compound. It can cause a range of health effects, including nausea, vomiting, seizures, and coma. Long-term exposure can lead to liver damage and an increased risk of cancer. The compound is also a potential occupational hazard for people who work with it in industrial settings.

Regulation[edit | edit source]

In the United States, hydrazine sulfate is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This means that it is possibly carcinogenic to humans. The compound is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cancer or any other medical condition.