Review maps the shift toward tumor microenvironment regulation in nanotherapy
Published in Journals, Nanomedicine.
Published October 25, 2026.
A bibliometric review published in Discover Nano on October 23 maps how nanotherapy research has increasingly focused on changing the tumor microenvironment, rather than using nanoparticles solely as drug carriers.
The authors analyzed English-language articles and reviews indexed in Web of Science, covering publications through May 31, 2025. Citation networks, keywords and collaboration patterns were examined using several bibliometric tools.
The analysis highlights growing attention to reactive oxygen species, tumor metabolism, immune regulation and controlled cell-death mechanisms. It describes a shift toward platforms intended to combine drug delivery with changes to the biological conditions surrounding cancer cells.
For nanomedicine research, the paper provides a map of frequently studied approaches and possible directions for further investigation. It also emphasizes translation challenges, including tumor heterogeneity, nanoparticle distribution, manufacturing and long-term safety.
Limits: Publication and citation patterns measure research activity, not therapeutic effectiveness. The review does not demonstrate that a particular nanotherapy benefits patients. Its database selection, English-language restriction and 2025 literature cutoff also limit coverage of the field.
Source: Wu, Li, Yang et al., Discover Nano, October 23, 2026.