Mapping research hotspots and trends in hepatocellular carcinoma nanomedicine: a bibliometric analysis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent cancer globally with a poor prognosis. Nanomedicine applications are expected to enhance early detection, improve cytotoxic drug utilization, and improve HCC prognosis. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on nanomedicines in HCC, focusing on current hotspots and exploring future development directions. By searching Web of Science, we collected 4,372 English-language articles from January 1, 2012 to October 31, 2022. China emerged as the leading contributor with 2,473 publications (55.6%), followed by the US (299, 6.8%) and India (284, 6.5%). Sun Yat-sen University had the highest number of publications. The most cited journal was the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE, and BIOMATERIALS was the most influential based on H/g/m indices. Key research areas included NANOPARTICLES (11% of keyword occurrences), HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA (8% ), and DRUG-DELIVERY (6%). in-vitro drug-delivery research remains a potential area. This study reveals that nanomedicines have significant potential in improving HCC early detection, drug-use efficiency, and prognosis. Encapsulating cytotoxic drugs in nanoparticles is a predominant research hotspot, while nanoparticle toxicity's impact on human systems may be a promising future direction. These findings provide valuable insights for guiding future research and clinical translation in HCC nanomedicine.