Hydrogen Gas May Improve Photothermal Tumor Therapy in Mice
Hydrogen gas improves photothermal therapy of tumor and restrains the relapse of distant dormant tumor
Research hubs: Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Cheng Zhang, Di-Wei Zheng, Chu-Xin Li, Mei-Zhen Zou, Wu-Yang Yu, Miao-Deng Liu, Si-Yuan Peng, Zhen-Lin Zhong, Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Journal
- Biomaterials
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 31499254
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas (Sustained Release)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 115 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Scientists created a new type of nanomedicine that not only kills cancer cells with heat but also reduces harmful inflammation, showing promise for safer and more effective cancer treatment.
Key Finding
In a mouse breast tumor model, hydrogen gas-releasing nanoparticles combined with photothermal therapy eliminated primary tumors and suppressed the growth of distant dormant tumors while reducing inflammation.
Summary
Researchers designed a nanoparticle treatment that combines heat-based cancer therapy with hydrogen gas release to treat breast tumors in mice. The nanoparticles accumulated in tumors, used light to generate heat that destroyed cancer cells, and released hydrogen gas to reduce inflammation. The treatment eliminated primary tumors and slowed the growth of distant dormant tumors while causing minimal harm to healthy tissue.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in mice only, not humans. While the results suggest hydrogen gas may help reduce inflammation during cancer treatment, this specific nanoparticle approach is far from clinical use. Much more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about hydrogen's role in cancer therapy for people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Inflammation during photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumor usually results in adverse consequences. Here, a biomembrane camouflaged nanomedicine (mPDAB) containing polydopamine and ammonia borane was designed to enhance PTT efficacy and mitigate inflammation. Polydopamine, a biocompatible photothermal…