Global Research Trends in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Coword and Visualization Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Bibliometrics
• Data Visualization

Background:

• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have transformed cancer treatment, with extensive research published annually.
• Existing reviews offer valuable insights, but a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of TKI research knowledge structure and evolution is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and evolutionary trends in tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) research.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the current status and future directions in TKI research through bibliometric analysis and literature visualization.

Main Methods:

• Retrieved and analyzed 5584 TKI-related papers published in the Web of Science from 2016 to 2020.
• Generated co-word networks, community detection, keyword burst analysis, and visualized evolution trends using venation and strategic diagrams.
• Identified research subdirections, associations between them, and shifts in research focus over time.

Main Results:

• Identified 6 research communities: non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeted therapy, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), HER2, pharmacokinetics, and ALK.
• NSCLC emerged as a core research area, while targeted therapy showed development. CML, HER2, and pharmacokinetics were identified as emerging or less mature areas.
• Keyword burst analysis highlighted increasing focus on HER2, pyrotinib, next-generation sequencing, immunotherapy, ALK-TKI, and ALK rearrangement, particularly in 2019-2020.

Conclusions:

• TKI research predominantly focuses on targeted therapies for various cancers, with a significant emphasis on NSCLC.
• Research trends indicate a declining interest in CML and pharmacokinetics, contrasted by a rapidly growing focus on HER2 and ALK.
• The evolution of TKI research follows a pattern of disease focus, revolving around gene targets, targeted drugs, and resistance mechanisms, offering support for researchers and policymakers.