Severe plexiform facial neurofibromatosis, type 1 with underdeveloped eyes and a novel NF1 mutation

Mapping the Landscape of Neurofibromatosis: A Bibliometric Evaluation Highlighting Our Current Understanding, Emerging Therapies, and Global Research Trends

BACKGROUND

The literature on neurofibromatosis (NF) has never been systematically assessed using bibliometric analytic methodologies. We quantitatively analyzed the major trends and scientific output regarding NF, highlighting potential avenues for research.

METHODS

An Elsevier's Scopus database search was performed for all indexed studies related to NF from 1898 to 2021. Validated bibliometric parameters were analyzed using productivity, citation, and keyword analysis, including text mining, content analysis, and collaboration network mapping from inception to date on R 4.1.2.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 15,024 documents. Annual scientific production has grown at a compounded rate of 5.86%, with the largest occurring in 2021 (n = 626). Journals with the most publications on NF include the Journal of Medical Genetics (n = 117) and Neurology (n = 113). The topmost cited author was Gutmann DH (n = 295). The United States had the most international collaboration (n = 435; multiple country publications). Identification of citation classics revealed a shift in recent decades towards understanding genetic and molecular pathways of NF tumorigenesis. Macro-level and micro-level text mining revealed the top 20 genetic and molecular pathways, and syndromes, associated with NF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study exemplifies a quantitative method for understanding the historical and current state of academic efforts regarding NF. There has been a shift of treatment strategies towards targeting specific pathways involved in tumorigenesis. We highlight the top 20 genetic and molecular pathways in the literature as well as the top 20 associated syndromes. This data is encouraging as increased research in molecular targeted therapies aimed at NF pathogenesis may allow advances in disease control.

Neurofibromatosis: chronological history and current issues

Neurofibromatosis, which was first described in 1882 by Von Recklinghausen, is a genetic disease characterized by a neuroectodermal abnormality and by clinical manifestations of systemic and progressive involvement which mainly affect the skin, nervous system, bones, eyes and possibly other organs. The disease may manifest in several ways and it can vary from individual to individual. Given the wealth of information about neurofibromatosis, we attempted to present this information in different ways. In the first part of this work, we present a chronological history, which describes the evolution of the disease since the early publications about the disorder until the conclusion of this work, focusing on relevant aspects which can be used by those wishing to investigate this disease. In the second part, we present an update on the various aspects that constitute this disease.

Ophthalmological assessment of children with neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder, caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, located on chromosome band 17q11.2. In 1988, the National Institutes of Health created specific criteria for the diagnosis of NF1. Four cardinal criteria are assessed through ophthalmological screening: Lisch nodules, optic pathway glioma, a distinctive osseous lesion (sphenoid dysplasia), and the (orbital) plexiform neurofibroma. NF1 patients are prone to the development of central and peripheral nervous system tumors. Especially young children are at risk for growing optic pathway gliomas that can threaten their sight. From an early age, children with NF1 undergo regular ophthalmological examinations. Little is known about the natural progress of these clinical features and the guidelines for screening and follow-up are controversial. Several questions remain unanswered.

CONCLUSION

Most of these questions could be solved by better understanding of the natural history of optic pathway gliomas. There is a tendency towards using vision as a primary objective in clinical treatment trials; this way we can evaluate new treatment strategies and focus specifically on visual evolution so we will be able to select even more carefully which patient would benefit treatment. For future clinical trials, a standardized visual acuity assessment protocol is therefore mandatory.