Application of Liquid Biopsy Technology in Lung Cancer: A Bibliometric Study and Visualization Analysis.

Background: Lung cancer is a major global health threat, and traditional treatments are hindered by tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Liquid biopsy technology offers new opportunities for precise diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer; however, its clinical application still presents challenges. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the research progress and future trends of liquid biopsy technology through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods: Literature on liquid biopsy technology in lung cancer research spanning from 1990 to 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Various bibliometric tools were employed, including VOSviewer (1.6.20), Cite Space (6.2.R3), RStudio (utilizing the R package bibliometrix), and Scimago Graphica, to explore the current situation and research hotspots in this area. The research covered multiple aspects, including publication counts, contributions from different countries and institutions, journals involved, authorship, co-references, and keywords. By generating corresponding visualization maps, an attempt was made to forecast future development trends within this research field.

Results: We identified 363 articles published in 198 journals, authored by 2518 authors from 266 institutions across 54 countries/regions. The journal, country, institution, and author with the highest number of publications were Cancer, China, Harvard University, and ROLFO C. Over the past 34 years, research on the application of liquid biopsy technology in lung cancer have primarily focused on cancer diagnosis, biomarkers, and treatment monitoring.

Conclusion: Liquid biopsy technology is rapidly evolving in the field of lung cancer. Detecting biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and extracellular vesicles, facilitates early detection and monitoring of treatment response, reveals drug resistance mechanisms, and promotes personalized treatment. With the advancement of technology and international cooperation, liquid biopsy is expected to provide more accurate diagnosis and treatment for patients with lung cancer in the future.