Ultrasound-driven contact electrification for antitumor therapy: A new paradigm

Tumor treating fields (TTFields), a non-pharmacological physical antitumor modality, have been approved by the FDA for specific tumors; however, their inherent limitations restrict their broader clinical application. Recently, ultrasound-driven triboelectric nanogenerators (US-TENGs) have emerged to convert deep-tissue-penetrating ultrasound energy into electrical energy, offering a wireless and controllable strategy for tumor electric field therapy. Concurrently, ultrasound-driven contact-electro-catalysis (CEC) strategies that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) provide additional therapeutic avenues. Mechanistically, ultrasound-driven contact electrification for antitumor therapy operates primarily through two pathways: first, the physical pathway, where the electric field from US-TENGs directly interferes with tumor cell mitosis or promotes drug release to synergize with TTFields; and second, the chemical pathway, where ultrasound drives interfacial charge transfer to generate ROS via CEC. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in this field. By comparing the mechanisms and efficacy of implantable devices and dispersed catalytic systems, it highlights key challenges and future directions. Collectively, this review provides an integrated analytical framework and a novel perspective for understanding how ultrasound regulates tumor therapy through interfacial charge transfer.