Osteosarcoma Management in the Precision Medicine Era: Bibliometric Analysis and Clinical Progress (2015-2024)

Osteosarcoma, the most common high-grade malignant bone tumor, has experienced only limited progress in therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for more effective treatments. This review examines bibliometric trends and clinical developments in osteosarcoma research from 2015 to 2024, with a particular focus on precision medicine and personalized therapy.

A search in the Web of Science Core Collection identified 17,476 osteosarcoma-related publications for bibliometric analysis. Key metrics, including publication trends, international collaborations, and emerging research topics, were evaluated using the Bibliometrix R package. Additionally, a clinical review examined recent innovations in diagnostic imaging, prognostic biomarkers, chemotherapy resistance, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and surgical techniques.

Research publications on osteosarcoma steadily increased, peaking at 2,009 in 2021, with significant contributions from China, the United States, Japan, India, and Italy. Key research themes encompassed apoptosis, metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and immunotherapy. Advances in imaging techniques, such as dynamic MRI and PET/CT, have significantly enhanced tumor staging and prediction of treatment response. Emerging biomarkers, including genetic alterations (TP53, RB1, MYC) and inflammatory markers, have become important prognostic tools. Surgical innovations, including patient-specific instrumentation and limb-sparing techniques, have improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, targeted therapies (kinase inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates) and immunotherapies (CAR T-cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors) have demonstrated promising results in clinical trials.

Integrating bibliometric insights with clinical advancements underscores the importance of personalized approaches in osteosarcoma management. Predictive imaging biomarkers and precision-targeted therapies play a crucial role, and future research should focus on their clinical validation to enhance patient outcomes.