The current state and trends of immunotherapy research in lung cancer: a review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract

In recent years, the integration of immunotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer has marked a significant evolution in the field. This is evidenced by the surge in the volume of scientific publications, reflecting rapid advances over time. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of lung cancer and immunotherapy research from January 2012 to December 2022, drawing on the Web of Science literature database and using the citexs data analysis platform to examine the shifts in topic hotspots over the decade. A total of 8,722 publications were retrieved, with annual publication numbers soaring from 79 in 2012 to 2,112 in 2021. The most prolific country in terms of publication volume was China (n = 3,363, 38.56%), with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center making the most significant institutional contribution (n = 156, 1.79%). Notably, the most productive authors in this domain were Benjamin Besse and Marina Chiara Garassino, who have collectively published 35 articles to date. Predominant research themes include PD1/PDL1, clinical trials, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, this paper visualizes the analysis of journals, keywords, key genes and targets, and associated diseases, aiming to provide a systematic review and a forward-looking perspective on research in lung cancer and immunotherapy. By exploring current research dynamics and hotspots and identifying areas for improvement, this study seeks to provide valuable insights for future investigations in this burgeoning field.