Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Monitoring PD-1-Blocking Antibodies Bound to T Cells Derived from a Drop of Peripheral Blood
Published on: February 5, 2020
A bibliometric analysis of resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors
1The Fifth Clinical College, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
Background:
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have already reformed cancer treatment by inhibiting tumor immune escape. However, as drug resistance emerges, their clinical application is limited. Numerous studies have explored mechanisms and methods to address resistance, yet an explicit bibliometric analysis of this field remains lacking.
Methods:
We systematically retrieved documents from the Web of Science Core Collection database and Scopus database. The timeline spans from January 1, 2006, to November 29, 2025. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using bibliometric tools. In addition, a secondary screening of the included studies was conducted to classify and analyze them based on their experimental models.
Results:
The bibliometric analysis of 2,122 studies shows a significant increase in research on resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors from 2006 to 2025. China leads in publication volume, while the United States ranks second but has more international collaboration. Institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are at the forefront of this research. The Journal of Clinical Oncology and Stephen L. Topalian were the most influential journal and author in this field, respectively. Keywords and reference analysis identify prospective hotspots, including "tumor microenvironment", "combination strategy", and "biomarker". Research on resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors is primarily based on observational cohort studies.
Conclusion:
This study examines the academic background and hotspots in PD-1/PD-L1 resistance. In the future, the tumor microenvironment will be explored to uncover novel mechanisms of resistance and to identify predictive biomarkers for patient stratification, while combination therapy strategies will be applied to overcome therapeutic resistance. More randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and research on patient-derived organoid systems are needed to accelerate clinical translation. By illuminating future trends, this study will serve as a crucial reference for scholars seeking to advance the field.
Insights
Research on resistance to Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors is rapidly growing. Future research should focus on the tumor microenvironment, biomarkers, and combination therapies to overcome resistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Bibliometrics
Background:
- Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment by overcoming tumor immune escape.
- Emerging drug resistance to these inhibitors limits their clinical efficacy.
- A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this research field is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
- To identify publication trends, leading institutions, influential journals, and key researchers in the field.
- To uncover emerging research hotspots and future directions for addressing PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor resistance.
Main Methods:
- Systematic retrieval of documents from Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases (2006-2025).
- Bibliometric analysis of 2,122 retrieved studies.
- Secondary screening to classify studies based on experimental models.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in research on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor resistance from 2006 to 2025.
- China leads in publication volume; the United States shows greater international collaboration.
- Key research hotspots include the tumor microenvironment, combination strategies, and biomarkers. Observational cohort studies form the primary research basis.
Conclusions:
- The study provides an overview of the academic landscape and research hotspots in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor resistance.
- Future research should explore the tumor microenvironment for novel resistance mechanisms and biomarkers for patient stratification.
- Combination therapy strategies and increased randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are crucial for overcoming resistance and accelerating clinical translation.
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...