Hydrogen-Loaded Nanoparticles in Lab Cell Studies of Cancer
Intratumoral high-payload delivery and acid-responsive release of H2 for efficient cancer therapy using the ammonia borane-loaded mesoporous silica nanomedicine
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Tian Yang, Zhaokui Jin, Zhihao Wang, Penghe Zhao, Bin Zhao, Mingjian Fan, Lihua Chen, Tianfu Wang, Bao-Lian Su, Qianjun He
- Journal
- Applied Materials Today
- Year
- 2018
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Gas (Sustained Release)
- H₂ concentration
- 130.6 mg/g
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 99 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Scientists have developed a new type of nanoparticle that can deliver large amounts of hydrogen gas directly to tumors, releasing it on-site in a controlled way to effectively treat cancer.
Key Finding
A new nanoparticle delivery system achieved 1,370 times higher hydrogen gas loading capacity compared to previous hydrogen delivery methods, with controlled release specifically at tumor sites.
Summary
Researchers developed a new nanoparticle (tiny particle) delivery system that can carry and release hydrogen gas directly into tumors. The system uses ammonia borane (a hydrogen-containing compound) loaded into mesoporous silica (a porous material), which releases hydrogen specifically in the acidic environment of cancer cells. In laboratory and animal tests, this approach delivered much more hydrogen to tumors than previous methods and showed promise against cancer cells.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in cells and animals, not yet tested in humans. While the delivery system shows technical promise for concentrating hydrogen at cancer sites, it remains a laboratory development with no established safety or effectiveness data in people. Much more research would be needed before any clinical application.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen gas therapy as an emerging and promising therapy strategy has overwhelming advantages especially in bio-safety compared with other gas therapy routes, but is facing a great challenge in the long-term, highly-concentrated, deeply-seated disease site-specific administration of hydrogen gas…