Bibliometric analysis of dendritic cell-cytokine induced killers cell therapy

Objective: Dendritic cell-cytokine induced killers (DC-CIK) immunotherapy involves co-culturing dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells to generate activated immune cells for reinfusion into patients, directly killing tumor cells while enhancing the body's immune response, aiming to inhibit tumor growth and recurrence. Here, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of DC-CIK immunotherapy, to provide insights into the current state of DC-CIK therapy research and guide future directions in this promising immunotherapeutic approach. Methods: Data were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) using the search terms "Dendritic cell-cytokine induced killers cell therapy" and "Immune cell therapy" for the period from 1997 to 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, citation networks, thematic focuses, and global collaboration networks. Results: The number of publications on DC-CIK therapy has shown a significant increase over the years, peaking in 2014 and fluctuating since then. China leads in the number of publications, followed by the United States. Sun Yat-sen University is the most prolific institution, and Ying Mu and Anqi Zhang are the most productive authors. Frontiers in immunology is the most productive journal, publishing 15 papers on DC-CIK therapy. Keyword analysis revealed a focus on cancer biology, immune modulation, and therapeutic strategies, with a particular emphasis on co-culture techniques, cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and genetic engineering. Conclusion: DC-CIK therapy represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment, integrating the unique properties of DCs and CIK cells to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Despite its promise, challenges remain in optimizing clinical efficacy and addressing translational hurdles. Future research should focus on refining co-culture strategies, improving therapeutic outcomes, and ensuring the safe and accessible application of DC-CIK therapy in clinical settings.