Bibliometric analysis of global research trends in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis and limited treatments. Immunotherapy shows promise in improving outcomes, but bibliometric analyses in this field are scarce. Our work reveals emerging trends, identifies research gaps, and highlights shifts in focus, offering valuable guidance for future research of immunotherapy and clinical practice. Pancreatic cancer immunotherapy bibliometric analyses were performed utilizing tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and RStudio, with a focus on the temporal and spatial distribution, prominent authors, research themes, keywords, and citation networks. The analysis reveals a significant increase in research activity on pancreatic cancer immunotherapy over the past decade, with hotspots including ICIs, CAR-T therapy, novel biomarkers, targeted therapies, the tumor microenvironment, and personalized treatment strategies. This study systematically reviews pancreatic cancer immunotherapy research progress from 1991 to 2024, highlighting key hotspots and trends. Future efforts should focus on ICIs, CAR-T therapy, and combination strategies, to enhance outcomes and extend patient survival.