Knowledge structure and hotspots research of glioma immunotherapy: a bibliometric analysis

Background: Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor. Traditional treatments for glioma include surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and bevacizumab therapy, but their efficacies are limited. Immunotherapy provides a new direction for glioma treatment. This study aimed to summarize the knowledge structure and research hotspots of glioma immunotherapy through a bibliometric analysis.

Method: Publications pertaining to glioma immunotherapy published during the period from 1st January 1990 to 27th March 2023 were downloaded from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed using the CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology, and R software. The hotspots and prospects of glioma immunotherapy research were illustrated via analyzing the countries, institutions, journals, authors, citations and keywords of eligible publications.

Results: A total of 1,929 publications pertaining to glioma immunotherapy in 502 journals were identified as of 27th March 2023, involving 9,505 authors from 1,988 institutions in 62 countries. Among them were 1,285 articles and 644 reviews. Most of publications were produced by the United States. JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY published the majority of publications pertaining to glioma immunotherapy. Among the authors, Lim M contributed the largest number of publications. Through analyzing keyword bursts and co-cited references, immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were identified as the research focus and hotspot.

Conclusion: Using a bibliometric analysis, this study provided the knowledge structure and research hotspots in glioma immunotherapy research during the past 33 years, with ICIs staying in the current and future hotspot. Our findings may direct the research of glioma immunotherapy in the future.