Global research landscape of retinoblastoma biomarkers: a multidisciplinary bibliometric analysis based on multiple databases (2005-2025).

Abstract

Objective: Research exploring biomarkers for retinoblastoma (RB) diagnosis exists; however, their specific impact on RB has not been thoroughly investigated through systematic quantitative analysis. This study aims to analyze the research landscape and hotspots of RB biomarkers from 2005 to 2025, providing a theoretical reference for future investigations.

Methods: We retrieved publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases published between 2005 and 2025, followed by analysis using R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace tools.

Results: From 2005 to 2025, annual publication output exhibited a steady upward trajectory, with notably accelerated growth observed between 2013 and 2021, followed by a moderated pace from 2021 to 2024. China led in publication volume, followed by the United States, India, and Italy. While China dominated in quantitative output, the United States established a broader network of international collaborations. Cancers emerged as the journal with the highest publication count, whereas Cancer Research ranked first in citation frequency. Current research hotspots primarily include: liquid biopsy and circulating tumor biomarkers; molecular subtyping and tumor heterogeneity; targeted therapies and drug resistance mechanisms; tumor microenvironment and immune evasion; and artificial intelligence with multimodal data integration. Investigations into RB biomarkers focus on: (1) dynamically reflecting tumor burden (short half-life properties); (2) regulating oncogene transcription/translation (targeting E2F3, PI3K, and m6A); (3) driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cellular proliferation; (4) mediating immune evasion; and (5) deep learning-based identification of tumor heterogeneity. The exploration of biomarkers to optimize individualized retinoblastoma treatment has emerged as a notable research trend.

Conclusion: As an emerging tool for achieving personalized therapeutic optimization, biomarkers have garnered significant attention from global scholars and are poised to become a major focus in future research on the management of RB. This study systematically reviewed and analyzed the current research landscape and key issues surrounding RB biomarkers, aiming to provide valuable references and insights for subsequent research in this field.