Molecular hydrogen in cancer therapy: Bioactive materials for tumor-targeted delivery and in situ generation.
Jianfeng Wu, Tin Pou Lai, Liangyan Li, Yong Yuan, Yaling Wang, Guozheng Liu, Wangzhe Li, Liyun Zhang, Lei Wan · Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society · 2026
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
This narrative review examined recent progress in molecular H₂ research, spanning from fundamental mechanisms in cancer biology, the role in adjuvant therapy, to the development of innovative catalytic delivery systems, such as stimuli-responsive materials and hydrogenases. Advances have been driven by the integration of mechanistic studies on H₂-mediated redox regulation, immunoregulation, and cytoprotective effects with rapid developments in nanotechnology and catalysis. Nevertheless, the clinical translation of H₂ therapy remains constrained by the present physicochemical limitations, including low solubility, non-targeted diffusion, the incomplete understanding of therapeutic mechanisms, etc. The reviewed evidence adds support for molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential across the conditions, mechanisms, or outcomes examined.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed this publication as a synthesis of molecular-hydrogen research and summarizes the outcomes emphasized by the authors. Advances have been driven by the integration of mechanistic studies on H₂-mediated redox regulation, immunoregulation, and cytoprotective effects with rapid developments in nanotechnology and catalysis.
What the Researchers Studied
The authors reviewed recent progress in molecular H₂ research, spanning from fundamental mechanisms in cancer biology, the role in adjuvant therapy, to the development of innovative catalytic delivery systems, such as stimuli-responsive materials and hydrogenases.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Advances have been driven by the integration of mechanistic studies on H₂-mediated redox regulation, immunoregulation, and cytoprotective effects with rapid developments in nanotechnology and catalysis. This review summarizes recent progress in molecular H₂ research, spanning from fundamental mechanisms in cancer biology, the role in adjuvant therapy, to the development of innovative catalytic delivery systems, such as stimuli-responsive materials and hydrogenases.
Why These Findings Matter
The reviewed evidence adds support for molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential across the conditions, mechanisms, or outcomes examined.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is review or synthesis evidence (narrative review).
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as narrative review with review or synthesis evidence. The study used a narrative review.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: Nevertheless, the clinical translation of H₂ therapy remains constrained by the present physicochemical limitations, including low solubility, non-targeted diffusion, the incomplete understanding of therapeutic mechanisms, etc.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.