Modified starch-based nanocarriers for stimuli-responsive anticancer drug delivery: A combined bibliometric and systematic analysis

Abstract

Starch-based nanocarriers have gained increasing attention as versatile platforms for controlled and stimuli-responsive anticancer drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural adaptability. However, their comparative performance and translational potential remain inadequately understood. This study presents a hybrid bibliometric and systematic review to evaluate research trends, formulation strategies, and therapeutic applications of modified starch nanocarriers. Bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in Scopus (2000-2026) and Web of Science (1995-2026) revealed a rapidly expanding field, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10% and strong contributions from China, India, and Iran. A systematic review of 93 studies (2015-2025) demonstrated that chemical modifications, particularly hydroxyethyl starch-based systems, and hybrid polymer-nanomaterial formulations significantly enhance drug loading, stability, and controlled release. Stimuli-responsive mechanisms, including pH-, redox-, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered systems, were widely employed to improve tumor-targeted delivery efficiency. Most systems demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency and enhanced in vitro anticancer efficacy with acceptable cytocompatibility. Despite these advances, limited in vivo validation, insufficient pharmacokinetic data, and variability in tumor microenvironment responsiveness remain major barriers to clinical translation. Future research should prioritize scalable design, standardized evaluation, and regulatory alignment to facilitate clinical application.