Engineered Electrotherapy Platforms: Integrating Electroactive Materials for Precision Cancer Therapy

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Authors: Yichi Cai, Shumin Sun, Jihu Nie, Nailin Yang, Liang Cheng
Cited by: 11
References: 192

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inspired by endogenous physiological electric fields, electro‐mediated therapeutic strategies represent promising approaches for targeted cancer therapy owing to their deep tissue penetration and spatiotemporal precision. The integration of biomaterials and nanotechnology with electrotherapy has emerged as a key strategy to enhance tumor‐specific electron delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes. This review summarizes recent advances in bioengineered electrotherapy, covering technologies like electroporation, triboelectric nanogenerators, electrochemical systems (including galvanic, electrocatalytic, and piezoelectric/pyroelectric mechanisms), and eddy currents. Rational biomedical engineering design enables three primary therapeutic mechanisms: 1) disrupting cancer cell proliferation through membrane modulation, ion channel interference, and metabolic perturbation; 2) enabling precise drug/cytokine delivery via biomaterial‐enhanced electroporation; and 3) modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) through electrically triggered generation of heat, therapeutic gases (such as H 2 , H 2 S, and NO), and reactive oxygen species. Nanomaterial engineering strategies, including heterojunction construction, defect engineering, and surface modification, optimize charge transfer kinetics to potentiate electrical effects. The development of intelligent biohybrid platforms further advances capabilities for localized energy delivery, immune modulation, and TME reprogramming. This review highlights the pivotal role of biomedical engineering in advancing electrotherapeutic technologies and proposes translational frameworks that integrate bioactive materials, biotechnological tools, and precision electrical paradigms to address oncology challenges.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Microbial Inactivation Methods Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
38
Issue
21
Pages
e72763–e72763
Publication date
13 March 2026
Language
EN