Targeting mitochondrial metabolism to improve the tumor microenvironment: A bibliometric study and brief review (1994-2024)

Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in supporting tumor growth and metastasis via several inhibitory mechanisms, which diminish the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Central to the metabolic reprogramming of tumors, mitochondria orchestrate the immunosuppressive landscape of the TME. Methods We extracted data spanning from 1994 to 2024 from the Web of Science Core Collection database, focusing on literature pertinent to this field. To maintain dataset consistency, we re-evaluated original research articles and compared them across various literature types. Results The study identified 3,947 publications, with original research articles comprising 67.29% (2,656 articles). The overall trend of publications increased from 2010 onwards, with a surge in publications from 2020. Cancers is the core journal with the most publications. Cell Metabolism has the most total citations and is the most influential journal. Among individual contributors, Zhang J has the highest number of publications, and Vander Heiden MG leads in local citations. Key figures such as Lisanti MP, Sotgia F, and Thompson CB are prominent authors. Thomas Jefferson University is noted for pioneering and sustaining research efforts, whereas Fudan University tops in publication volume. While China leads in publication quantity, the USA excels in total citations. The core literature encompasses studies on metabolic enzymes, oncogenes, the Warburg effect, and related themes. Conclusion The last three years have seen a burgeoning of interest in this field, with key areas such as gene expression, glycolysis, glutamine metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation emerging as central themes.