Exploring research trends in cancer immunotherapy via single-cell technologies: a scientometric perspective

Cancer immunotherapy has brought new therapeutic hopes for cancer patients, but it is complex in its mechanism of action, and there are significant individual differences, which restricts its wide use. As single-cell analysis technology develops rapidly, it provides an innovative research approach to investigate immunotherapy mechanisms, to identify potential biomarkers, and to optimize individualized treatment strategies.

The Core Collection of Web of Science (WOSCC) was used to retrieve and obtain relevant literature related to "application of single cell sequencing in cancer immunotherapy" since the establishment of the WOSCC. A quantitative analysis and visualization of the related literature was conducted using tools such as Bibliometrix, Excel, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica.

The total number of related literatures included was 4856, with an average annual growth rate of 25.14%. According to published articles, China and the United States lead the field. Frontiers in immunology, Nature Communications, Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Oncology and Cancers have an important academic influence in this field. Research hotspots focus on tumor immune microenvironment and cellular heterogeneity. Research trends such as spatial transcriptomics, standardized processes, and T cell function are becoming increasingly popular.

In tumor immunotherapy, single-cell sequencing is profoundly changing the research paradigm. It not only improves our understanding of the immune microenvironment and therapeutic heterogeneity, but also assists us in identifying accurate markers and formulating individualized treatment plans.