Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)

Abstract Background Chinese patent drugs, standardized formulations rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, have gained attention for their potential to induce programmed cell death (PCD) in cancer cells. Emerging evidence suggests that these formulations may affect multiple PCD pathways, including...

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Main Authors: Min Song, Chunyan Teng, Xiaodong Zheng, Shizhen Tan, Yipeng Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02913-5
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author Min Song
Chunyan Teng
Xiaodong Zheng
Shizhen Tan
Yipeng Guo
author_facet Min Song
Chunyan Teng
Xiaodong Zheng
Shizhen Tan
Yipeng Guo
author_sort Min Song
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Chinese patent drugs, standardized formulations rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, have gained attention for their potential to induce programmed cell death (PCD) in cancer cells. Emerging evidence suggests that these formulations may affect multiple PCD pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, thus offering a multifaceted approach to tumor suppression. Objectives This study aimed to map the global research landscape on Chinese patent drugs in cancer-related PCD, examining publication trends, principal contributors, and thematic evolutions. The analysis also sought to provide insights that could guide future investigations and clinical applications. Methods Bibliometric data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (1998–2023), focusing on articles investigating Chinese patent drugs and PCD in oncological contexts. R-bibliometrix was used for descriptive statistics and trend analyses, while VOSviewer generated network visualizations of co‐occurring keywords, collaboration patterns, and co‐citation clusters. Results Overall publication output increased markedly, with China leading in both volume and impact. Collaboration networks revealed extensive international partnerships, underscoring global interest in standardized herbal formulations. Keyword mapping highlighted a shift from early apoptosis-centric studies to more diverse regulated cell‐death pathways, indicating greater mechanistic depth and exploration of synergistic effects with conventional therapies. Conclusion Chinese patent drugs are increasingly recognized as promising agents for modulating PCD in cancer cells. Ongoing work focuses on standardized manufacturing, robust clinical validation, and mechanistic elucidation. These trends position Chinese patent drugs at a pivotal juncture for advancing integrative oncology and enhancing patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-b585116eb5d848c7b78bf0a163bd0efc2025-08-20T03:22:50ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-06-0116112010.1007/s12672-025-02913-5Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)Min Song0Chunyan Teng1Xiaodong Zheng2Shizhen Tan3Yipeng Guo4Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing Beibei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Spleen-Stomach Diseases, Chongqing Beibei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineIntroduction Of PKU HealthCare Corp., Ltd.Department of Management Information, Chongqing Beibei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Pharmacy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western MedicineAbstract Background Chinese patent drugs, standardized formulations rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, have gained attention for their potential to induce programmed cell death (PCD) in cancer cells. Emerging evidence suggests that these formulations may affect multiple PCD pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, thus offering a multifaceted approach to tumor suppression. Objectives This study aimed to map the global research landscape on Chinese patent drugs in cancer-related PCD, examining publication trends, principal contributors, and thematic evolutions. The analysis also sought to provide insights that could guide future investigations and clinical applications. Methods Bibliometric data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (1998–2023), focusing on articles investigating Chinese patent drugs and PCD in oncological contexts. R-bibliometrix was used for descriptive statistics and trend analyses, while VOSviewer generated network visualizations of co‐occurring keywords, collaboration patterns, and co‐citation clusters. Results Overall publication output increased markedly, with China leading in both volume and impact. Collaboration networks revealed extensive international partnerships, underscoring global interest in standardized herbal formulations. Keyword mapping highlighted a shift from early apoptosis-centric studies to more diverse regulated cell‐death pathways, indicating greater mechanistic depth and exploration of synergistic effects with conventional therapies. Conclusion Chinese patent drugs are increasingly recognized as promising agents for modulating PCD in cancer cells. Ongoing work focuses on standardized manufacturing, robust clinical validation, and mechanistic elucidation. These trends position Chinese patent drugs at a pivotal juncture for advancing integrative oncology and enhancing patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02913-5Programmed cell deathApoptosisCancerMulti-target therapyChinese patent drugIntegrative oncology
spellingShingle Min Song
Chunyan Teng
Xiaodong Zheng
Shizhen Tan
Yipeng Guo
Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)
Discover Oncology
Programmed cell death
Apoptosis
Cancer
Multi-target therapy
Chinese patent drug
Integrative oncology
title Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)
title_full Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)
title_fullStr Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)
title_full_unstemmed Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)
title_short Global research trends on Chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer: a bibliometric analysis (1998–2024)
title_sort global research trends on chinese patent drugs inducing programmed cell death in cancer a bibliometric analysis 1998 2024
topic Programmed cell death
Apoptosis
Cancer
Multi-target therapy
Chinese patent drug
Integrative oncology
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02913-5
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