Crosstalk Between Oral Microbiome and Cancer: Emerging Trends and Insights

Background: Emerging scientific evidence suggests a connection between the oral microbiome (OM) and cancer (CA). This paper is designed to delve into the scientific output within this domain, pinpoint highly cited articles, and explore the latest research hotspots and emerging trends in OM/CA studies. Methods: On January 25, 2025, a comprehensive search was conducted to investigate research on the relationship between OM and CA. The search terms pertinent to both OM and CA were utilized. Key information was extracted from WoSCC. A suite of tools including Biblioshiny from R packages, Excel, and VOSviewer were utilized for comprehensive data visualization. Co-citation analysis was conducted to delineate the conceptual landscape of the field and to highlight influential publications. Results: A total of 1663 papers related to OM/CA were retrieved. The number of papers (Np) in OM/CA is proliferated from 2010 to 2024. The United States and China occupied leading positions and made the most significant contributions. Karolinska Institutet and Harvard University were the most productive institutions. The most prolific authors were Tina Dalianis and Anders Naesman. Oral Oncology garnered the most Np, whereas Gut received the highest total citations (TCs). A historical citation analysis traced the evolution of OM/CA research over time. The key topics encompassed the impact of OM on the initiation and progression of CA, the characteristics of OM in CA, the role of OM in screening and prognosis of CA, the effect of OM on CA treatment, and the underlying mechanisms through which OM is involved in CA. Emerging research hotspots in this field may include Mendelian randomization, applications of machine learning, biofilm formation, cytolethal distending toxin, and nanoparticles, along with the roles of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis in disease pathogenesis. Conclusion: This study assessed worldwide production in OM/CA research, examining its quantitative characteristics. It pinpointed several pivotal papers and compiled data on the current status, emerging hotspots, and evolving trends within OM/CA research. The findings of this research may offer a fresh perspective for both academics and practitioners in the field.