Mapping the frontiers: a bibliometric perspective on t cell-based immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer since the twenty-first century

T-cell immunotherapy is reshaping cancer care and offers a targeted strategy for pancreatic carcinoma (PC), yet a comprehensive map of its research trajectory is lacking. We aimed to chart the evolution of the field, identify leading contributors, and clarify the thematic shifts that are shaping clinical translation.

We systematically analyzed articles and reviews indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection from January 2000 to December 2024. Bibliographic metadata were aggregated for descriptive trend analyses and science-mapping of co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks. Temporal trend profiling was used to highlight emerging topics.

Global output on T-cell immunotherapy for PC has expanded markedly over the past two decades but remains unevenly distributed across regions. The United States leads in academic influence and translational impact, with China closely following in publication volume and contributions from high-impact institutions. Research has converged at the interface of immunotherapy, tumor-microenvironment modulation, and cellular engineering. Dominant themes include engineered T-cell approaches, immune-checkpoint modulation, and strategies leveraging tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Emerging fronts encompass AI-enabled target/drug discovery, biomarker-guided patient stratification, and individualized treatment designs. Persisting barriers include limited efficacy in the desmoplastic and immunosuppressive PC microenvironment, primary and acquired immune resistance, safety concerns, and regulatory and trial-design complexities.

T-cell immunotherapy for PC is a rapidly advancing, interdisciplinary domain led by the United States with rising contributions from China. Accelerating clinical translation will require: integrated T-cell engineering with microenvironment remodeling; rational combinations with checkpoint and stroma-targeted agents; robust predictive biomarkers with standardized endpoints; safety-engineering and risk-mitigation frameworks; and coordinated, multicenter collaboration. This bibliometric synthesis delineates the field’s structure and priorities to improve outcomes for patients with PC.