Sonodynamic therapy and combination strategies for cancer: a bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping

Background Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a non-invasive anticancer strategy utilizing ultrasound-activated sonosensitizers for selective tumour ablation. Its deep tissue penetration and favorable safety profile make it promising for deep-seated tumours. Combining SDT with other modalities (e.g., phototherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) has expanded its therapeutic potential, yet a systematic analysis of the research landscape is lacking. Methods We conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications (2000–2024) from the Web of Science Core Collection on SDT and its combination therapies, encompassing 1810 articles/reviews. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to visualize contributions from countries, institutions, authors, and journals, and to analyze keyword networks, citation patterns, and co-cited references. Results SDT-related publications increased steadily, accelerating notably after 2018. China led in output, followed by the United States; the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most influential institution. Author analysis identified Chen Yu as highly productive, while Liu Zhuang achieved high average citations, suggesting a “less-but-better” path to high impact. Chemical Engineering Journal was a leading publication venue, and Advanced Materials the most co-cited source. Keyword co-occurrence and burst analyses revealed foundational themes like “nanoparticles,” “reactive oxygen species,” and “drug delivery.” Emerging hotspots focus on multimodal combinations, novel sonosensitizers, and tumour microenvironment remodeling. Conclusions This study delineates the knowledge structure and emerging frontiers of SDT and its combination approaches. Strengthening cross-regional and interdisciplinary collaboration, and prioritising structured research centred on tumour microenvironment (TME) modulation and multimodal synergy, may accelerate high-quality development and clinical translation of SDT-based cancer therapies.