Three Decades of Photodynamic Therapy for Glioblastoma: A Comprehensive Scientometric Analysis.

Abstract

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment for glioblastoma (GBM), yet a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this field is lacking. This study explores research trends, major contributors, and hotspots in PDT for GBM to provide an integrated overview of its development.

Methods: Literature from 1993 to 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, analyzed publication trends, collaborations, and keyword co-occurrence to identify influential authors, institutions, and journals.

Results: A total of 799 publications showed a growing research interest, peaking in 2022. The United States and China were leading contributors, with prominent institutions like the University of California System and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Influential figures, such as Jiro Akimoto and Walter Stummer, advanced clinical applications and fluorescence-guided techniques. Early studies of photodynamic therapy for GBM have focused on evaluating its efficacy and potential side effects, transitioning towards innovative strategies like targeted drug delivery, nanotechnology, and combination therapies. However, the similarities between early and recent studies are in the search for safe and reliable photosensitizers. Keyword analysis highlighted "5-aminolevulinic acid", "in vitro", and "polyethylene glycol compounds" as key areas, while timeline analysis revealed shifts from foundational photosensitizer research to approaches addressing tumor heterogeneity and resistance.

Conclusions: This study provides a systematic overview of PDT research for GBM, spotlighting breakthroughs and collaborative networks. The findings emphasize the importance of preclinical innovation and clinical translation to fully realize PDT's potential in GBM therapy.