The rise and evolution of cancer mechanobiology: a bibliometric trajectory of three decades of research

Background A growing body of research indicates that mechanobiology plays a pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis and holds considerable therapeutic potential. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this interdisciplinary field is lacking, partly due to challenges in cross-database data integration. In this study, we aim to construct a systematic knowledge map of cancer mechanobiology to delineate its research progress, core structure, and emerging trends. Methods In this study, we integrated 1,947 publications from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection and Scopus (1976–2025). To address cross-database heterogeneity, we developed a novel, customized, multi-stage data-standardization workflow combining a bespoke Python parsing engine with fuzzy string matching algorithms and manual verification. The unified dataset was analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix. Results The United States and China are the most prolific countries, while the University of California system is the most productive institution. Valerie M. Weaver is the most published author, while Matthew J. Paszek is the most co-cited, indicating foundational influence. Cell is the most influential journal based on co-citation frequency. Keyword analysis reveals a thematic evolution from “extracellular matrix stiffness” and “mechanotransduction” to frontier areas such as “cancer immunotherapy” and “YAP signaling protein.” Conclusion In this study, we construct a comprehensive bibliometric map of cancer mechanobiology. Our findings elucidate the developmental trajectory and research hotspots of the field, providing a data-driven reference for future investigations, international collaborations, and clinical translation of physical oncology.