The trends of retinoblastoma research in the past decade

To conduct a bibliometric analysis of retinoblastoma (RB) research to delineate global research trends, identify key research contributors, and highlight emerging research directions in this field.

Publications from 2015 to 2024 were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection. Data on publication volume, citations, H-indexes, and collaborative networks were analyzed using CiteSpace.

In total, 1719 publications were included. Annual publication outputs on RB research exhibited an overall upward trend. The United States dominated global RB research with 500 publications (29.09%), 8978 citations and an H-index of 43, followed by China (468 articles, 27.23%) and India. Switzerland and Spain yielded the highest average citation per article, at 29.00 and 27.72, respectively. Institution-wise, Thomas Jefferson University (76 publications) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (70 publications) ranked top in publication quantity. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology was the most prolific journal with 52 relevant articles, while Shields CL was the leading author contributing 67 papers in this domain. Cited-reference analysis identified the article entitled “Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level” in JAMA Ophthalmology as the most frequently cited work with the strongest citation burst. Journals covering molecular biology and genetics constitute the fundamental academic basis for contemporary RB investigations. Keyword analysis demonstrated that “cancer”, “management”, “expression”, and “chemotherapy” were the most recurrent research hotspots.

This study performed the first decade-long CiteSpace-based bibliometric analysis of RB. Substantial disparities in publication productivity and clinical practice exist across nations and institutions. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain burdened by diagnostic and therapeutic limitations for RB, highlighting the necessity of strengthened international collaboration. Future research priorities encompass overcoming chemotherapy resistance, optimizing intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) regimens, and translating molecular discoveries into accessible therapies via global partnerships.