Hydrogen Nanozyme Shows Promise Against Cancer in Lab Study
- Authors
- Mingfan Shi, Jingrui Cao, Tong Wu, Guang Yang, YaWen Yang, Shixin Zhang, Wenwen Su, Hongyu Chu, Yangyang Zhao, Shan Jiang, Qiong Wu, Dongxu Jiao, Fangfang Chen
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1002/advs.202524313
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
A hydrogen-doped rhodium-palladium nanozyme used NIR-triggered catalytic activity and hydrogen release to amplify tumor oxidative stress, suppress tumor growth, and activate antitumor immunity in preclinical models.
Key Finding
A hydrogen-releasing nanozyme particle suppressed tumor growth in animal studies by generating sustained reactive oxygen species through a dual mechanism: direct production of harmful molecules combined with triggering cancer cells' own energy-producing structures to generate additional reactive molecules.
Summary
Researchers created a tiny particle made of rhodium and palladium metals that releases hydrogen gas when exposed to near-infrared light. In laboratory and animal studies, this particle generated reactive molecules (called ROS) that killed cancer cells by disrupting their internal energy-producing structures (mitochondria). The approach worked by creating oxidative stress—a harmful buildup of reactive molecules—that overwhelmed cancer cells' natural defense systems.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage laboratory and animal research on a specialized nanoparticle therapy, not hydrogen water. While the results are promising for potential cancer treatment, this work is far from human application and does not directly inform the safety or efficacy of hydrogen water as a consumer product. The study demonstrates that hydrogen gas can play a role in cellular processes, but the delivery method, dosage, and mechanism are completely different from drinking hydrogen water.
Abstract
The efficacy of nanocatalytic therapy is constrained by the limited availability of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a reaction substrate, finite catalytic activity of nanozymes and rapid scavenging by intracellular antioxidants, hindering their accumulation at target sites to therapeutic concentrations. To address the core bottleneck, we developed a hydrogen-doped rhodium-palladium alloy (RhPd‑H) nanozyme that integrates enhanced peroxidase (POD)-mimetic catalytic activity with thermally triggered hydrogen gas (H2) release. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the RhPd-H performs POD activity to efficiently produce exogenous hydroxyl radicals (·OH), inducing initial oxidative stress. Concurrently, the released H2 flux could reduce the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within mitochondria, thereby mitigating oxidative damage and reprogramming mitochondria into endogenous ROS generator that continuously leak superoxide anion (·O2 -). This dual-path ROS generation mechanism sustains prolonged intracellular ROS burst to efficiently kill tumor cells. Further, in vivo evaluations demonstrated that RhPd-H nanoenzyme exhibited long-term tumor retention, significant suppression of tumor growth and activation of antitumor immunity. By differentially regulating ROS across space and time, RhPd‑H nanozyme establishes a persistent and overwhelming oxidative stress that effectively disrupts redox homeostasis. Our work advances beyond conventional catalytic therapy, proposing a new concept of metabolically amplified nanozyme therapy.