Decade of Research on the cGAS-STING Pathway in Cancer: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015 – 2025)

Abstract

Purpose: The cGAS–STING pathway is a central component of the innate immune system by detecting cytoplasmic DNA and initiating antitumor immunity. Due to its involvement in critical biological processes, including inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy, this pathway has attracted increasing attention as a promising therapeutic target in cancer research. Methods: On May 4, 2025, an extensive search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database using the terms “cGAS-STING Pathway” AND “Cancer.” Publications from 2015 to 2025 were analyzed in terms of citation counts, publication trends over time, countries with the highest output and citations, most cited papers, frequently referenced authors, and the co-occurrence of author keywords. Network visualizations were generated using VOSviewer software. Results: The search identified 827 relevant articles. Annual publication counts showed a steady increase, peaking in 2024. The People’s Republic of China ranked first with 561 publications and 11,946 citations, followed by the United States with 178 publications and 9,957 citations. The majority of articles appeared in high-impact journals, which also published the most highly cited studies in this field. Recent research has increasingly focused on the role and therapeutic potential of the cGAS-STING pathway in cancer treatment. Conclusion: From 2015 to 2025, research on the cGAS–STING pathway in oncology has expanded substantially, with growing emphasis on therapeutic strategies involving innate immunity. These trends reflect heightened scholarly interest in the pathway’s function in cancer immunotherapy and underscore its potential as a promising target for future research and drug development.

Keywords

• cGAS-STING Pathway
• Cancer
• Web of Science
• Bibliometric Analysis

Kanserde cGAS-STING Yolağı Üzerine On Yıllık Araştırma: Bibliyometrik Analiz (2015-2025)

Abstract

Amaç: cGAS-STING yolu, sitoplazmik DNA'yı tespit ederek antitümör bağışıklığını başlatan doğuştan gelen bağışıklık sisteminin merkezi bir bileşenidir. Enflamasyon, apoptoz ve otofaji dâhil olmak üzere kritik biyolojik süreçlerde rol oynaması nedeniyle, bu yolak kanser araştırmalarında umut verici bir terapötik hedef olarak giderek daha fazla ilgi çekmektedir. Yöntem: 4 Mayıs 2025 tarihinde, Web of Science Core Collection veri tabanında “cGAS-STING Pathway” ve “Cancer” terimleri kullanılarak kapsamlı bir arama yapıldı. 2015–2025 yılları arasındaki yayınlar; atıf sayıları, zaman içerisindeki yayın eğilimleri, en çok yayın ve atıf üreten ülkeler, en çok atıf alan makaleler, sık atıf yapılan yazarlar ve anahtar kelimelerinin birlikte kullanıma açısından analiz edildi. Ağ görselleştirmeleri VOSviewer yazılımı kullanılarak oluşturuldu. Bulgular: Arama sonucunda 827 adet ilgili makale bulundu. Yıllık yayın sayılarında düzenli bir artış gözlenmiş olup, en yüksek seviyeye 2024 yılında ulaşılmıştır. Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti, 561 yayın ve 11.946 atıf ile ilk sırada yer alırken, onu 178 yayın ve 9.957 atıf ile Amerika Birleşik Devletleri takip etmiştir. Makalelerin büyük bir kısmı, aynı zamanda bu alandaki en yüksek atıf alan çalışmaları da yayımlayan yüksek etki faktörlü dergilerde yer almıştır. Son dönem araştırmalar giderek artan biçimde cGAS-STING yolağının kanser tedavisindeki rolü ve terapötik potansiyeline odaklanmıştır. Sonuç: 2015–2025 yılları arasında onkolojide cGAS–STING yolağına ilişkin araştırmalar kayda değer biçimde genişlemiş, doğuştan gelen bağışıklığı hedefleyen terapötik stratejilere yönelik ilgi giderek artmıştır. Bu eğilimler, kanser immünoterapisinde bu yolun işlevine yönelik artan akademik ilgiyi yansıtmakta ve gelecekteki araştırmalar ve ilaç geliştirme için umut verici bir hedef olma potansiyelini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• cGAS-STING Yolu
• Kanser
• Web of Science
• Bibliyometrik Analiz

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