A two-decade bibliometric analysis of drug resistance in oral cancer research: patterns, trends, and future directions

BackgroundDrug resistance in oral cancer presents a significant challenge in clinical treatment. Understanding the research landscape through bibliometric analysis can provide valuable insights into the development and trends in this field.ObjectiveTo comprehensively analyze the global research trends, collaboration patterns, and emerging topics in oral cancer drug resistance research from 2000 to 2024 using bibliometric methods.MethodsPublications related to oral cancer drug resistance were retrieved from the Web of Science core collection database. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to analyze publication trends, research collaboration networks, and keyword co-occurrence patterns. The analysis included annual publication outputs, country contributions, institutional productivity, author collaborations, journal distributions, and research hotspots.ResultsA total of 971 publications were identified, showing a significant increase in research output over the study period, particularly after 2014. China led in publication output (485 articles), followed by Japan (130 articles) and the United States (118 articles). China Medical University was the most productive institution (50 publications). The International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Cancers, and Oral Oncology were the primary publishing venues. Keyword analysis revealed an evolution from basic drug resistance mechanisms to emerging research areas including cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment, and extracellular vesicles.ConclusionsThis bibliometric analysis demonstrates the rapid growth and evolving nature of oral cancer drug resistance research. The findings highlight the shift towards more sophisticated research areas and strong international collaboration patterns. These insights can guide future research directions and collaboration opportunities in this field.