A bibliometric evolution of molecular mechanisms and emerging research trends of therapeutic resistance in oral cancer

Authors

• Chu-Yen Chien, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Ying-Chen Chen, Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Jia-Rong Wu, Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
• Hsu-Hua Chu, Department of Risk Management and Insurance, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Yi-Jen Hung, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
• Yi-Shing Shieh, Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, TaiwanFollow

Abstract

Background/purpose: Drug resistance has served as a primary determinant of treatment failure and disease recurrence in oral cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the global research landscape of drug resistance mechanisms in oral cancer by integrating bibliometric mapping with bioinformatic validation.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive dataset of 1660 publications was retrieved from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analyses were performed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to evaluate publication trends, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution. To bridge research trends with biological mechanisms, 1469 genes associated with oral cancer and drug resistance were extracted from the GeneCards database and subjected to functional enrichment and canonical pathway analysis via Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA).

Results: Bibliometric mapping revealed a significant shift from basic cell-intrinsic molecules toward complex themes, including tumor microenvironment (TME), intercellular communications, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and non-coding RNA networks. Frequency distribution analysis identified microRNA as the most prevalent mediator, highlighting the principal role of post-transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, CSCs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) emerged as major thematic hubs within the co-occurrence network. GeneCards analysis identified ABCB1, ABCG2, EGFR, and STAT3 as central hubs with high relevance scores. IPA further validated these findings, demonstrating dense crosstalk between TME and EMT-related pathways as the mechanistic foundation of therapeutic escape.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated oral cancer resistance is governed by signaling redundancy and microenvironmental protection rather than an individual biological aberration. Consequently, future researches are needed to investigate intercellular crosstalk and cellular heterogeneity in oral cancer to circumvent the multifaceted barriers driving current therapeutic failure.

Recommended Citation

Chien, Chu-Yen; Chen, Ying-Chen; Wu, Jia-Rong; Chu, Hsu-Hua; Hung, Yi-Jen; and Shieh, Yi-Shing (2026) "A bibliometric evolution of molecular mechanisms and emerging research trends of therapeutic resistance in oral cancer," Journal of Dental Sciences: Vol. 21: Iss. 4, Article 17.
Available at: https://jds.ads.org.tw/journal/vol21/iss4/17

Publication Date

2026

Received Date

May 13 2026

Accepted Date

June 29 2026

Final Revision Date

June 29 2026