By Lila Rouland | Published on October 22, 2025 | 3 min read
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of
hormonal receptors (ER, PR) and the HER2 protein. This particularity
significantly limits targeted therapeutic options, leading to a poor prognosis
marked by high recurrence and low overall survival rates. Given the biological heterogeneity of TNBC, global research efforts are
increasingly focused on identifying reliable biomarkers to improve diagnosis,
patient stratification, and treatment strategies.
The study presented here uses
a rigorous bibliometric approach to map global trends, scientific
collaborations, dominant research themes, and future perspectives in this
strategic field.
Who’s leading TNBC research? A global overview
Methodology
Using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica, the
authors analyzed 217 publications indexed in the Web of Science
database, covering data up to August 2023. The analysis included authors,
institutions, countries, keywords, co-citations, and journals.
Publication dynamics
Since 2015, there has been an exponential increase in both publications and
citations. Key studies on immunotherapy (PD-L1, TILs) and BRCA mutations are
among the most cited, reflecting growing interest in precision medicine.
Major contributors
- Countries: The
United States, China, France, and the United Kingdom lead in publication
volume and citation impact.
- Institutions:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Nanjing
Medical University are central to collaborative networks.
- Key
Journals: Frontiers in Oncology, Annals of
Oncology, and Cancers are identified as the primary publication
platforms.
Main research axes
The most frequent keywords and thematic clusters highlight six major
biomarker categories:
- Immune biomarkers: PD-L1, TILs, CTLA-4, CD8+ T cells
- Tumor microenvironment: macrophages, inflammatory cytokines
(IL-6, TNF-α)
- Circulating
biomarkers: circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor
cells
- Metabolic
biomarkers: VEGF, PIK3CA, Ki-67
- Genetic
biomarkers: TP53, BRCA1/2 mutations, lncRNA, and miRNA
- Analytical methodologies: transcriptomics, multi-omics,
artificial intelligence
Co-citation and temporal analysis
Research evolution follows three distinct phases:
- Pre-2011: Molecular classification and
preclinical models.
- 2012–2017:
Validation of molecular subtypes and therapeutic strategies.
- 2018–2023:
Emergence of personalized approaches (liquid biopsy, AI, immunotherapy).
Co-citation clusters reveal the progressive integration of bioinformatics
and machine learning into recent studies — marking a major technological
turning point in TNBC research.
Can TNBC treatment finally be personalized through biomarkers?
TNBC remains one of oncology’s greatest challenges due to its
aggressiveness and lack of conventional therapeutic targets. This bibliometric
analysis highlights an intensifying global effort to identify robust
biomarkers that can aid in early diagnosis, predict treatment response, and
guide clinical decision-making.
The study outlines several key directions for future research:
- Integration
of multi-omics approaches (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics)
- In-depth
characterization of the tumor microenvironment
- Expanded
use of machine learning to model therapeutic responses
- Implementation
of liquid biopsies for real-time patient monitoring
- Personalized
therapeutic strategies based on molecular profiling
Finally, the authors emphasize the need to strengthen international
collaborations and encourage young researchers to adopt
interdisciplinary approaches combining oncology, bioinformatics, and
immunology.
Read next: Triple-negative breast cancer: can spatial and single-cell profiling predict response to immunotherapy and radiation?
About the author – Lila Rouland
Doctor of Oncology, specialized in Biotechnology and Management
