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. 2025 Jan 17:12:1538743.
doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2025.1538743. eCollection 2025.

Global trends and emerging insights in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma: a bibliometric analysis

Jianhao Bai #  1 , Zhongqi Wan #  2 , Wanru Zhou  1 , Lijun Wang  1 , Wei Lou  1 , Yao Zhang  1 , Haiying Jin  1
Affiliations

Global trends and emerging insights in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma: a bibliometric analysis

Jianhao Bai et al. Front Mol Biosci. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma, identifying key research trends, influential contributors, and emerging themes from 2003 to 2024.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database to retrieve publications related to BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance from 1 January 2003, to 1 September 2024. Bibliometric analyses, including publication trends, citation networks, and keyword co-occurrence patterns, were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Collaborative networks, co-cited references, and keyword burst analyses were mapped to uncover shifts in research focus and global cooperation.

Results: A total of 3,503 documents, including 2,781 research articles and 722 review papers, were analyzed, highlighting significant growth in this field. The United States, China, and Italy led in publication volume and citation impact, with Harvard University and the University of California System among the top contributing institutions. Research output showed three phases of growth, peaking in 2020. Keyword and co-citation analyses revealed a transition from early focus on BRAF mutations and MAPK pathway activation to recent emphasis on immunotherapy, combination therapies, and non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms like ferroptosis and pyroptosis. These trends reflect the evolving priorities and innovative approaches shaping the field of resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors in melanoma.

Conclusion: Research on BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance has evolved significantly. This analysis provides a strategic framework for future investigations, guiding the development of innovative, multi-modal approaches to improve treatment outcomes for melanoma patients.

Keywords: BRAF mutations; MEK inhibitors; immunotherapy; melanoma; therapeutic resistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flowchart of the publication selection process for studies on BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Comprehensive analysis of global research trends in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma: Publication Dynamics, Collaborations, and Major Contributors (2003–2024). (A) Annual number of publications on BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2024. (B, C) Line chart (B) and heatmap (C) illustrating the annual publication volume of the top 10 countries over the past 2 decades. (D) Global collaboration network in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance research in melanoma. (E) Institutional contributions to research on BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Mapping the research landscape of BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma: Publication Density, Journal Networks, and Author Collaborations. (A) Density map of journal publications in the field of BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma. (B) Network map showing co-cited journals in this research area. (C) Dual-map overlay of journals related to BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance, with colored tracks representing citation pathways, showing citing journals on the left and cited journals on the right. (D) Author collaboration network, highlighting the most prolific authors and their research collaborations in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma. (E) Author co-citation network map illustrating the most frequently co-cited authors in this field.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Evolution and impact of research on BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma: Co-cited Literature, Keywords, and Trends (2003–2024). (A) Co-cited literature network map showing foundational studies in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance. (B) Cluster analysis of co-cited references in the field. (C) Temporal distribution of co-cited references illustrating the evolution of research topics over time, highlighting shifts in research focus and emerging trends. (D) Network diagram highlighting high-frequency keywords in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance research. (E) Keyword density map showing the concentration of key topics in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance research. (F) Temporal heatmap displaying the progression of key research areas from 2003 to 2024, with color-coded clusters representing distinct research themes. (G) Clustering analysis of research hotspots in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Reference burst analysis in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance research in melanoma from 2003 to 2024. The blue lines represent the timeline, while the red sections highlight periods of intense citation activity for key references.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Keyword burst analysis in BRAF and MEK inhibitor resistance research in melanoma from 2003 to 2024. Keywords with the strongest citation bursts are displayed, reflecting emerging research trends and potential future directions in the field.
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