Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of the Role and Mechanism of NETs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Web of Science

Objective To explore the research hotspots of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) during the period from 2013 to 2024, with the aim of providing insights and references for academic research on the treatment of HCC with NETs. Methods CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to perform data analysis and visualization of relevant literature on NETs in the HCC field from 2013 to 2024, focusing on seven aspects: publication volume, authors, institutions, countries, journals, co-cited literature, and keywords. Results  A total of 77 papers were included. Although the number of publications in this field is relatively low, there is a general upward trend. Collaboration between authors, institutions, and countries needs to be strengthened. Professor Allan Tsung from the Department of Surgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine ranks first in terms of publication[1] volume in this research field, while Fudan University leads in terms of institutional output. China has the highest number of publications in this field, followed by the United States. Journal of Hematology & Oncology is a highly influential journal in this area. Research hotspots include the tumor microenvironment, HCC metastasis, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Conclusion The study of NETs in HCC holds promising prospects, but further research is required.