Bibliometric analysis and recent trends on tyrosine kinase inhibitors in leukemia

Leukemia treatment has been revolutionized by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), but comprehensive understanding of the global research landscape remains fragmented. This study aims to provide a systematic bibliometric analysis of TKIs research in leukemia to identify research trends, collaboration patterns, and emerging hotspots.

This bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science Core Collection database to identify relevant publications about TKIs in leukemia between January 1, 2000 and March 17, 2025. Visualization and trend analyses were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package "bibliometrix".

A total of 3,238 eligible publications were retrieved, authored by 16,992 individuals across 567 institutions and 100 countries. The USA led in total publications (830) and citations (69,620). The University of Texas System (articles = 624) and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (articles = 587) emerged as major contributors. Blood (articles = 227), Leukemia (articles = 130), and Leukemia & Lymphoma (articles = 134) were the top publishing journals. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified six distinct clusters: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Management, Clinical Treatment Approaches, Disease-Specific Targets, Clinical Trials and Patient Outcomes, and Treatment Response Assessment.

This bibliometric study reveals the dynamic evolution of TKIs research in leukemia research over the past 25 years. The findings highlight key contributors, collaboration patterns, and thematic transitions from molecular targeting to functional cure strategies. These insights offer a valuable foundation for strategic planning, translational research, and global collaboration in the field of hematologic oncology.