Current progress and emerging trends of car-based immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a data-driven atlas from multidatabase integration

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and lethal malignancy worldwide, with its incidence steadily rising over recent decades. Conventional treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy and radiotherapy, offer limited therapeutic benefit. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for HCC, yet significant challenges remain. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future prospects of CAR-based immunotherapy in HCC. Methods: On September 30, 2025, we conducted a systematic literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and Scopus databases, targeting publications from 2016 to 2025. Full records and cited references were extracted and screened. Data-driven analyses and visualizations were performed using CiteSpace, Microsoft Excel 2019, VOSviewer, and R software. Results: A total of 5,210 publications were included in the analysis. The number of studies in this field has increased sharply since 2019 and is projected to continue rising. China, particularly its universities, leads global research in this area. Most influential studies were concentrated around 2019. Research hotspots have shifted from traditional pharmacology toward gene regulation and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Collaboration networks among authors, countries, and institutions indicate a growing trend toward multidisciplinary cooperation. Conclusion: CAR-based immunotherapy for HCC remains in its early stages of development. Future research should prioritize enhancing therapeutic efficacy and safety, fostering international collaboration, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches to improve clinical outcomes for HCC patients.