Chemotherapy induced neurotoxicity in cancer survivors assessed through a dual database bibliometric analysis from 2005 to 2025
Boxiang Zhang, Lucy Yue Lau, Zhimin Wu, Yi Chen
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors frequently suffer from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), two of the most common and persistent adverse effects of anticancer therapies. These neurotoxicities not only compromise survivors' quality of life and daily functioning but also contribute to long-term survivorship challenges. Understanding the mechanisms underlying CIPN and CRCI and identifying effective intervention strategies are essential to improving survivorship care and health outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a dual-database bibliometric analysis using both the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and Scopus, covering studies published between 2005 and 2025. This dual-database cross-validation approach minimizes database-specific bias and enhances analytical robustness by integrating broader publication coverage and citation patterns. After deduplication, 2,837 articles (1,474 from WoSCC and 1,363 from Scopus) were analyzed. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix were employed to visualize research trends, mechanistic investigations, intervention strategies, and global collaboration networks. RESULTS: Research activity on CIPN and CRCI has significantly increased, with a notable shift from symptomatic descriptions to deeper mechanistic insights, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, glial activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recently, novel pathways such as ferroptosis, the gut-brain axis, and BDNF signaling have emerged. Intervention studies have expanded from conventional symptom control to integrated survivorship strategies combining neuroprotective agents, cognitive rehabilitation, physical activity, and psychosocial support. CONCLUSION: This study presents the first dual-database bibliometric landscape of CIPN and CRCI, offering valuable insights into their pathophysiological underpinnings and intervention development. By framing these neurotoxicities as critical survivorship issues, the findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive, mechanism-driven, and survivor-centered management strategies to enhance long-term quality of life in cancer survivors.