Hotspots and frontiers of the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and cancer-associated fibroblasts: a bibliometric analysis and review
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are pivotal stromal components in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), influencing tumor progression, metastasis, and immunotherapy resistance. However, a comprehensive bibliometric overview of CAFs in HCC is lacking. METHODS: A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection from January 1, 2004, to June 15, 2025 yielded 646 eligible publications. Bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and CiteSpace mapped publication trends, international collaboration, institutional contributions, author networks, journal impact, and research hotspots. RESULTS: A total of 646 articles were analyzed, spanning 282 journals and 2684 keywords. From 2004 to June 15, 2025, there was a significant increase in publications. China led in publication numbers, followed by the US and Japan. Renowned institutions include Sun Yat Sen University, Fudan University, and Zhejiang University. Notable researchers are Fan Jia, Giannelli Gianluigi, and Zhou Jian. The journal with the highest publication and citation frequency is Cancer Research. The main research focuses are the effects of CAFs on HCC cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, immunosuppression, and drug resistance, as well as the mechanisms of CAFs in HCC immunotherapy and the progress in targeted CAF research. CONCLUSION: CAFs research in HCC has transitioned from descriptive studies to precision therapeutic targeting. Future directions involve dissecting CAFs plasticity, leveraging single-cell multiomics, and optimizing combination therapies to overcome TME-mediated resistance.
Source: Discover Oncology
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,690
OpenAlex ID: W4417510990