Mapping the Future: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with rising incidence and mortality rates presenting substantial public health challenges. Traditional detection methods have inherent limitations, which has led to growing interest in liquid biopsy technologies for the identification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The aim of this study is to explore the developmental trends and future prospects of ctDNA in colorectal cancer through bibliometric analysis.

This bibliometric analysis examines the literature on ctDNA in CRC from 2004 to 2024, utilizing the Web of Science Core Collection database to identify research trends, key areas of interest, and potential future directions. The R package "bibliometrix" and VOSviewer software were employed for bibliometric analysis and visualization. The analysis encompassed an evaluation of publication volume, contributing authors, influential journals, country and institutional contributions, and citation metrics.

The analysis encompassed a total of 1,054 publications, demonstrating a marked escalation in research activity since 2015. The journal "Cancers" has been identified as the most prolific publisher within this domain. Prominent researchers, including Bardelli A and Sartore-Bianchi A, have made substantial contributions to the field. The United States is the leading country in terms of both publication volume and citation frequency, followed by China and Italy. A keyword analysis identified seven conceptual clusters, with "circulating tumor DNA" and "liquid biopsy" emerging as predominant themes.

This study emphasizes the evolving emphasis on the clinical applications of ctDNA, encompassing early detection, treatment monitoring, and prognostic assessment in CRC, thereby underscoring its potential as a non-invasive biomarker in oncology.