Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (26): 6952-6960.doi: 10.12307/2026.384

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Research status and trends of nanotechnology in improving photodynamic therapy for hypoxic tumors

Dilida·Bahetikelede1, Zhou Xin1, Wang Xinyi1, Zeng Zhihan1, Wang Liqiong1, 2, 3, Hu Danrong1, 2, 3   

  1. 1West China School of Clinical Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China; 2Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China; 3Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-09-23 Online:2026-09-18 Published:2026-03-20
  • Contact: Hu Danrong, PhD, Associate professor, West China School of Clinical Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China; Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China; Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China Wang Liqiong, PhD, Lecturer, West China School of Clinical Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China; Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China; Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
  • About author:Dilida·Bahetikelede, West China School of Clinical Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. NSFC32001003 (to HDR); Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, No. 2025ZNSFSC0775 (to HDR); The Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of Sichuan University in 2024, No. 2025HXDC193 (to DB)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy, a novel tumor treatment, is limited by the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Nanotechnology-based oxygen regulation strategies offer a novel approach to overcoming this bottleneck.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze the current status of nanotechnology research in improving photodynamic therapy for hypoxic solid tumors using bibliometric methods, identify hot topics in the field, and predict future development directions.
METHODS: Using the Web of Science Core Collection database as the data source, we retrieved relevant papers and reviews on the use of nanotechnology in regulating tumor hypoxia and enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy from 2016 to 2025. Visualizations of the Web of Science Core Collection database categories, publication trends, countries, institutions, authors, co-citations, and keywords were analyzed using Excel, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 1 879 articles were included, with “nanoscience & nanotechnology” being the core category. The number of articles published in the field of nanotechnology-based photodynamic therapy for hypoxic tumors continued to grow from 2016 to 2022, with a brief decline in 2023 before recovering. China is the leading country in the field of nanotechnology-based photodynamic therapy for hypoxic tumors. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has the highest number of publications, while Liu Zhuang from Soochow University has the highest number of publications. The 2016 publication by ZHOU ZJ et al. in Chemical Society Reviews has the highest total citation count. This research area focuses on cancer treatment and microenvironment-responsive phototherapy strategies using nanomaterials. The keywords “photodynamic therapy” and “nanoparticles” appear most frequently. Bibliometric analysis indicates that nanotechnology has advantages in improving the efficacy of photodynamic therapy for hypoxic tumors. Related research demonstrates good efficacy and safety, and future research is likely to focus on combination strategies with immunotherapy.

Key words: tumor, hypoxia, photodynamic therapy, nanomedicine, bibliometrics, visual analysis

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