โก Quick Summary
This study conducted a multidisciplinary bibliometric analysis of retinoblastoma (RB) biomarkers from 2005 to 2025, revealing a steady increase in research output, particularly from China and the United States. Key research hotspots include liquid biopsy, molecular subtyping, and the integration of artificial intelligence in RB treatment.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ Timeframe: 2005-2025
- ๐ Databases used: Web of Science and Scopus
- ๐ Analysis tools: R software, VOSviewer, CiteSpace
- ๐ Leading country: China, followed by the USA, India, and Italy
- ๐ Top journals: Cancers (most publications), Cancer Research (most citations)
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ Publication growth: Steady increase in RB biomarker research, especially from 2013 to 2021.
- ๐ China: Dominates in publication volume.
- ๐ค USA: Leads in international collaborations.
- ๐ฌ Research hotspots: Liquid biopsy, molecular subtyping, targeted therapies, and AI integration.
- ๐ก Focus areas: Tumor burden reflection, oncogene regulation, EMT, immune evasion, and tumor heterogeneity.
- ๐ฎ Future trend: Personalized treatment optimization using biomarkers.
๐ Background
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare but aggressive eye cancer primarily affecting children. The exploration of biomarkers for RB diagnosis has gained traction, yet a systematic quantitative analysis of their impact has been lacking. This study aims to fill that gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the research landscape surrounding RB biomarkers over the next two decades.
๐๏ธ Study
The authors retrieved publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, focusing on the period from 2005 to 2025. Utilizing advanced bibliometric analysis tools such as R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace, they aimed to identify trends, hotspots, and key contributors in the field of RB biomarker research.
๐ Results
The analysis revealed a steady upward trajectory in annual publication output, with a notable acceleration between 2013 and 2021. China emerged as the leader in publication volume, while the USA excelled in establishing a broader network of international collaborations. The journal Cancers had the highest publication count, and Cancer Research led in citation frequency. Current research hotspots include liquid biopsy, molecular subtyping, and the role of artificial intelligence in RB treatment.
๐ Impact and Implications
The findings of this study underscore the growing importance of biomarkers in the management of retinoblastoma. As researchers increasingly focus on personalized treatment strategies, the integration of biomarkers could lead to significant advancements in therapeutic optimization. This research not only highlights current trends but also sets the stage for future investigations that could enhance patient outcomes in RB treatment.
๐ฎ Conclusion
This bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of retinoblastoma biomarkers. With a clear trend towards personalized medicine, the role of biomarkers is expected to expand significantly in the coming years. As global scholars continue to explore this promising field, we anticipate exciting developments that will improve the management of RB and potentially other cancers.
๐ฌ Your comments
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Global research landscape of retinoblastoma biomarkers: a multidisciplinary bibliometric analysis based on multiple databases (2005-2025).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research exploring biomarkers for retinoblastoma (RB) diagnosis exists; however, their specific impact on RB has not been thoroughly investigated through systematic quantitative analysis. This study aims to analyze the research landscape and hotspots of RB biomarkers from 2005 to 2025, providing a theoretical reference for future investigations.
METHODS: We retrieved publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases published between 2005 and 2025, followed by analysis using R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace tools.
RESULTS: From 2005 to 2025, annual publication output exhibited a steady upward trajectory, with notably accelerated growth observed between 2013 and 2021, followed by a moderated pace from 2021 to 2024. China led in publication volume, followed by the United States, India, and Italy. While China dominated in quantitative output, the United States established a broader network of international collaborations. Cancers emerged as the journal with the highest publication count, whereas Cancer Research ranked first in citation frequency. Current research hotspots primarily include: liquid biopsy and circulating tumor biomarkers; molecular subtyping and tumor heterogeneity; targeted therapies and drug resistance mechanisms; tumor microenvironment and immune evasion; and artificial intelligence with multimodal data integration. Investigations into RB biomarkers focus on: (1) dynamically reflecting tumor burden (short half-life properties); (2) regulating oncogene transcription/translation (targeting E2F3, PI3K, and m6A); (3) driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cellular proliferation; (4) mediating immune evasion; and (5) deep learning-based identification of tumor heterogeneity. The exploration of biomarkers to optimize individualized retinoblastoma treatment has emerged as a notable research trend.
CONCLUSION: As an emerging tool for achieving personalized therapeutic optimization, biomarkers have garnered significant attention from global scholars and are poised to become a major focus in future research on the management of RB. This study systematically reviewed and analyzed the current research landscape and key issues surrounding RB biomarkers, aiming to provide valuable references and insights for subsequent research in this field.
Author: [‘Peng Z’, ‘Hu Q’, ‘Chen X’]
Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol
Citation: Peng Z, et al. Global research landscape of retinoblastoma biomarkers: a multidisciplinary bibliometric analysis based on multiple databases (2005-2025). Global research landscape of retinoblastoma biomarkers: a multidisciplinary bibliometric analysis based on multiple databases (2005-2025). 2025; 151:231. doi: 10.1007/s00432-025-06279-7