Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42817814›Full record

ReviewCancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)2026

The Growth and Trends in Cancer-Induced Cachexia Research: A Bibliometric and AI-Guided Visualization Analysis.

Thomas M O'Connell, Radhika Gedela, Fabrizio Pin

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Thomas M O'ConnellDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4342-9539
Radhika GedelaLuddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Fabrizio PinIndiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3562-8629

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOver the past several decades, advances in basic and clinical research have increasingly established cancer-induced cachexia as a distinct pathophysiological syndrome that warrants targeted therapeutic approaches alongside conventional anticancer treatments. Despite its high prevalence and substantial impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, the condition remains underrecognized and inadequately managed in clinical practice. Correspondingly, scientific activity in the field has expanded rapidly, spanning molecular mechanisms, clinical characterization, and emerging interventional strategies.

methodsThis bibliometric analysis aims to provide a comprehensive, quantitative overview of evolving research in cancer-induced cachexia over the past 25 years. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of cancer cachexia research published between 2001 and 2025 using the Web of Science Core Collection. A total of 5775 English-language primary research articles were retrieved using the search terms "cancer AND cachexia," and including papers in English of the types articles, letters, and proceedings papers. Data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package and its web interface, BiblioShiny, to assess publication trends, author productivity, collaboration networks, and keyword co-occurrence. Additional visualizations were generated using the R programming language and AI-guided analyses to explore trends and bursts in the evolution of cachexia research.

resultsCancer cachexia publications increased at an annual rate of 6.7%, exceeding the overall growth rate of scientific literature. In terms of number of papers and citation indices, the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle is the dominant journal in the field. Research is characterized by high levels of international collaboration, though research networks remain geographically clustered. Keywords were analyzed using co-occurrence networks to reveal specific connections and clusters of research topics. Trend analyses of keywords showed the progression of research in the areas of metabolism and the role of inflammatory mediators. Burst analysis revealed research "hotspots" over the last 25 years including studies of specific interventions such as immunotherapy, gastrointestinal cancers, and metabolic dysregulation.

conclusionsCancer cachexia research has expanded significantly over the past two decades but remains limited in scale and fragmented across geographic and disciplinary boundaries. A shift toward investigating biological mechanisms and therapeutics indicates a maturing field with growing translational potential. Growing trends and recent research bursts in immune function and inflammation suggest an important role of these areas in further therapeutic development. Continued integration of clinical, nutritional, and molecular research will be essential to advance effective interventions. This bibliometric analysis offers a data-driven foundation to inform future research priorities and collaboration strategies in cancer-induced cachexia.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceBibliometricsBiomedical ResearchCachexiaNeoplasmsHumansbibliometric analysisburst analysiscachexiacancercancer‐induced cachexiaresearch trendstrend analysis

Identifiers

PMID42817814
PMCPMC13628286

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.