Radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in small cell lung cancer: a Web of Science Core Collection-based bibliometric analysis.

@article{wang2026radiotherapy,
  title = {{Radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in small cell lung cancer: a Web of Science Core Collection-based bibliometric analysis.}},
  author = {Weihan Wang and Zhonghua Chen and Yang Wang and Changguo Shi and Xiaohong Zhou},
  journal = {Translational cancer research},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.21037/tcr-2026-2335},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997912},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in small cell lung cancer: a Web of Science Core Collection-based bibliometric analysis.
AU  - Weihan Wang
AU  - Zhonghua Chen
AU  - Yang Wang
AU  - Changguo Shi
AU  - Xiaohong Zhou
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/29
JO  - Translational cancer research
DO  - 10.21037/tcr-2026-2335
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997912
AB  - Radiotherapy (RT) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the global research landscape, knowledge structure, and evolving trends in this field have not been systematically investigated. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on RT combined with ICIs for SCLC. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was searched on 4 June 2026. Publications related to RT combined with ICIs for SCLC were identified according to predefined eligibility criteria. Bibliometric analyses were performed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.21) and CiteSpace (version 7.0.R0) to evaluate publication trends, collaborations among authors, institutions, and countries/regions, journal characteristics, bibliographic coupling, co-citation networks, keyword clustering, and emerging research hotspots. Of 341 retrieved records, 112 publications met the eligibility criteria. Annual publication output increased markedly after 2022, peaked at 23 publications in 2023, and remained within a similar range in subsequent complete years. Publications identified in 2026 represented year-to-date data, with the annual output expected to remain within a comparable range based on the observed publication pattern. The 112 publications involved 1,014 authors, 692 institutions, 56 journals, and 63 countries/regions. China ranked first in publication output (61 publications) and citations [759], whereas the United States demonstrated extensive international collaboration. The Journal of Thoracic Oncology and Annals of Oncology published the largest number of articles, whereas the New England Journal of Medicine had the highest citation count. Landmark clinical trials formed the core knowledge base of the field. Keyword analyses indicated that recent research has shifted toward limited-stage disease, durvalumab-based strategies, chemoradiotherapy, multicenter studies, and other treatment optimization approaches. Research on RT combined with ICIs for SCLC has expanded substantially since 2022 but has subsequently entered a relatively stable stage. Current research is driven by landmark clinical trials and increasingly focuses on optimizing multimodal treatment strategies. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the field and may help to guide future research priorities and international collaboration.
SN  - 2218-676X
SN  - 2219-6803
ER  -