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

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising adjunctive treatment for glioblastoma (GBM), but a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this field has been lacking. This study provides an in-depth assessment of research trends, key contributors, and hotspots in PDT for GBM. Bibliometric analysis of 799 documents from the Web of Science Core Collection 1993-2024 was conducted using CiteSpace software. Influential contributors and emerging research themes were identified through a 30 year analysis of publication trends, collaborative networks and keyword co-occurrence. Publications peaked in 2022, with the United States and China as leading contributors. Notable institutions included the University of California System and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Research has progressed from photodynamic diagnostics to innovative strategies like nanotechnology and combination therapies, addressing tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. This study emphasizes the need for robust interdisciplinary research and clinical translation to enhance its therapeutic potential.