Modulation of the\nAtomic Spacing of Electrocatalytic\nfor Boosting Reactive Oxygen Species Production to Precise Hepatocellular\nCarcinoma Cell Apoptosis

Promoting tumor cell apoptosis through the catalytic\nregulation\nof reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an ideal therapeutic option for\ncancer. However, a stable and controllable exogenous source of ROS\nis still lacking. Efficient and controllable electrocatalysis has\nshown tremendous potential for cancer treatment, but its key challenge\nlies in achieving precise, efficient, and controllable electrocatalytic\nROS production at the tumor site. This study describes an electrocatalytic\ntreatment technique for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on traditional\nChinese acupuncture. By attaching a biocompatible electrocatalyst\nNiO-P<sub>700</sub> with optimal atomic spacing to the surface of\nsilver acupuncture needles, a high-concentration ROS microenvironment\nwas generated around tumor cells via ORRs when the needles were electrified.\nThis induction led to the accumulation of inflammatory factors (IL-1β,\nIL-6, and TNF-α) and macrophage infiltration, accelerating tumor\ncell apoptosis and necrosis. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments\ndemonstrated that the rate of ROS production can be rapidly controlled\nby adjusting voltage and current. Importantly, the high concentration\nof ROS can be safely and effectively confined to the lesion site without\naffecting the entire body. Our study attempted to integrate electrocatalysis\nand acupuncture in HCC treatment, successfully regulating NiO-P atomic\nspacing and enhancing ORR performance, thereby presenting a safe and\nreliable perspective for HCC therapy.