Inflammatory microenvironment-responsive electrochemical biosensing for cancer cell discrimination using...

The quantification of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) serves as a critical biomarker for characterizing cellular physiological states, providing essential insights into metabolic regulation and signaling pathways. This analytical paradigm not only advances our understanding of pathological mechanisms but also contributes to the development of novel diagnostic approaches and precision therapeutic interventions. Herein, we established an innovative electrochemical microsensing platform capable of discriminating between malignant and normal cells through their distinct inflammatory responses under external stimulation. This innovative methodology integrates three critical technical advancements: (i) optimization of a one-pot microwave synthesis protocol for fabricating high-performance PtZnCd nanoparticles anchored on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which serve as the core sensing element; (ii) systematic electrochemical characterization coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrating that this hybrid architecture significantly reduces interfacial charge-transfer resistance while enhancing heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics; (iii) comprehensive biocompatibility evaluations confirming the composite material's favorable cytotoxicity profile and biological safety, supporting its potential for cellular classification applications. Through real-time monitoring of dynamic metabolic fluctuations and intracellular inflammatory microenvironment changes in response to ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) stimulation, we established distinct response signatures that effectively differentiate neoplastic cells from their healthy counterparts. This study introduces an innovative electrochemical sensing paradigm that synergistically combines biocompatible nanocatalysts with inflammatory microenvironment dynamics, establishing a robust platform for dual discrimination between cancerous and normal cells, with significant implications for biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.