Global research trends and therapeutic potential of fibrinolytic enzymes

Fibrinolytic enzymes are proteolytic enzymes that degrade fibrin clots. They play a significant role in managing thrombosis as they are crucial for the lysis of the clot. Despite the importance and extensive research on fibrinolytic enzymes, many have not been translated into therapeutics due to challenges such as immunogenicity, bleeding risks, and short half-life. Consequently, in this review, a comprehensive assessment was conducted to identify trends and gaps in fibrinolytic enzyme research, analyzing data spanning eight decades alongside important biotechnological discoveries, such as recombinant DNA technology and tissue plasminogen activators, to gain an in-depth understanding of this evolving research area. The field's multidisciplinary nature encompasses medicine, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and other related disciplines, thus highlighting its industrial potential. An international collaborative network involving 35 countries was identified, highlighting the need to diversify the collaborations to advance research on fibrinolytic enzymes. At the institutional level, South Korea leads in publications, whereas research in India and Japan is more decentralized. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified thematic clusters and journals such as Thrombosis Research and the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology as the prominent publishers. Patent analysis points to Cordis Corporation and Bristol-Myers Squibb as key players. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into past and current trends, highlights gaps in fibrinolytic enzyme research, and sets the stage for future advancements in this field.