Emerging trends and global collaboration in Paclitaxel resistance research for breast cancer: a comprehensive...

Paclitaxel, a compound that targets microtubules in cancer cells and inhibits mitosis, has been used as a first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer for over three decades. Research into paclitaxel resistance has yielded thousands of articles. However, this body of research has not been analyzed systematically and quantitatively. This study employs bibliometric analysis and visualisation techniques using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to elucidate the contributions from countries and institutions, collaboration patterns, journal publication trends, research evolution, and current hotspots. Our findings reveal that leading research institutions in the United States, Europe, and East Asia hold significant advantages in this field. Specifically, the United States contributed the most to this field, with MD Anderson Cancer Center being the most prominent research institution and having a broad collaboration network. Prestigious oncology journals serve as primary platforms for disseminating key findings, with Cancer Research publishing the most relevant articles and having the highest co-citation frequency. We identified the main research branches by analysing keyword co-occurrence and keyword bursts, including treatment methods, drug delivery, mechanisms, and cellular response. Current research focuses on unveiling resistance mechanisms and exploring new therapeutic strategies. Paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer, particularly in TNBC and metastatic cases, remains an active and critical research area. Integrating nanotechnology into drug development and therapeutic strategies is a current focal point and promises to be a significant future direction. These insights highlight a strategic direction for future research, including strengthening international partnerships, deepening understanding of resistance mechanisms, and applying engineered therapeutics for targeted breast cancer treatments.