Knowledge structure analysis and network visualization of tumor-associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma research: A bibliometric mapping

BACKGROUND Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have demonstrated significant potential as a research and treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, a comprehensive quantitative analysis of TAMs in HCC remained insufficient. Therefore, the objective of this study was to employ bibliometric methods to investigate the development trends and research frontiers pertaining to this field. AIM To determine the knowledge structure and current research hotspots by bibliometric analysis of scholarly papers pertaining to TAMs in HCC. METHODS The present study employed the Web of Science Core Collection to identify all papers related to TAMs in HCC research. Utilizing the Analysis Platform of Bibliometrics, CiteSpace 6.2.R4, and Vosviewer 1.6.19, the study conducted a comprehensive analysis encompassing multiple dimensions such as publication quantity, countries of origin, affiliated institutions, publishing journals, contributing authors, co-references, author keywords, and emerging frontiers within this research domain. RESULTS A thorough examination was undertaken on 818 papers within this particular field, published between January 1, 1985 to September 1, 2023, which has witnessed a substantial surge in scholarly contributions since 2012, with a notable outbreak in 2019. China was serving as the central hub in this field, with Fudan University leading in terms of publications and citations. Chinese scholars have taken the forefront in driving the research expansion within this field. Hepatology emerged as the most influential journal in this field. The study by Qian and Pollard in 2010 received the highest number of co-citations. It was observed that the citation bursts of references coincided with the outbreak of publications. Notably, “tumor microenvironment”, “immunotherapy”, “prognostic”, “inflammation”, and “polarization”, etc. emerged as frequently occurring keywords in this field. Of particular interest, “immune evasion”, “immune infiltration”, and “cancer genome atlas” were identified as emerging frontiers in recent research. CONCLUSION The field of TAMs in HCC exhibited considerable potential, as evidenced by the promising prospects of immunotherapeutic interventions targeting TAMs for the amelioration of HCC. The emerging frontiers in this field primarily revolved around modulating the immunosuppressive characteristics of TAMs within a liver-specific immune environment, with a focus on how to counter immune evasion and reduce immune infiltration.