Spagnolo F, Brugiapaglia S, Perin M, Intonti S, Curcio C. Anti-Cancer Drugs: Trends and Insights from PubMed Records.
Pharmaceutics 2025;
17:610. [PMID:
40430901 PMCID:
PMC12115157 DOI:
10.3390/pharmaceutics17050610]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2025] [Revised: 04/30/2025] [Accepted: 05/02/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Background: In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in global anti-cancer drug research, prompting the necessity for comprehensive analyses of publication output and thematic shifts. Methods: This study utilized a comprehensive set of PubMed records from 1962 to 2024 and examined growth patterns, content classification, and co-occurrence of key pharmacological and molecular terms. Results: Our results highlight an exponential rise in publications, with an annual compound growth rate of over 14%, influenced by advancements in digital knowledge sharing and novel therapeutic breakthroughs. A pronounced surge occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a sustained shift in research dynamics. The content analyses revealed a strong emphasis on classical chemotherapeutic agents-often studied in combination with targeted therapies or immunotherapies-and a growing focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors and vaccine platforms. Furthermore, co-occurrence networks indicated robust links between chemotherapy and supportive care, as well as emerging synergies between immuno-oncology, precision medicine approaches. Conclusions: Our study suggests that while novel modalities are reshaping treatment paradigms, chemotherapy remains central, underscoring the value of integrative regimens. This trend toward personalized, combination-based strategies indicates a transformative era in oncology research, where multidimensional data assessment is instrumental in guiding future therapeutic innovations.
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