Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, particularly when complicated by pulmonary metastasis (PM), which significantly worsens prognosis and reduces survival despite active treatment. The absence of standardized therapeutic strategies for CRC with PM has driven resea...

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Main Authors: Xu Zhang, Liping Wang, Tong Fu, Xuchu Duan, Hao Wang, Yuqing Chen, Xiaoyu Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1587422/full
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author Xu Zhang
Xu Zhang
Liping Wang
Tong Fu
Xuchu Duan
Hao Wang
Yuqing Chen
Xiaoyu Liu
author_facet Xu Zhang
Xu Zhang
Liping Wang
Tong Fu
Xuchu Duan
Hao Wang
Yuqing Chen
Xiaoyu Liu
author_sort Xu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, particularly when complicated by pulmonary metastasis (PM), which significantly worsens prognosis and reduces survival despite active treatment. The absence of standardized therapeutic strategies for CRC with PM has driven research into its underlying biological mechanisms, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, and tumor microenvironment dynamics.MethodsA bibliometric analysis was conducted on 2,645 publications related to CRC with PM retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (1991–2025). Analytical tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to map the intellectual structure, collaboration networks, and research hotspots within this domain.ResultsThe analysis identified China and Japan as the most prolific countries in CRC–PM research, with Robert M. Hoffman (USA) and David L. Morris (Australia) as the most productive authors, and Joachim Pfannschmidt (Germany) as the most frequently cited. Annals of Surgery was recognized as the most influential journal. Four primary research themes were identified: (1) molecular mechanisms underlying CRC lung metastasis, (2) surgical intervention strategies, (3) systemic therapies and clinical trials, and (4) clinical management and outcome evaluation. These studies reflect a growing emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches and translational research.ConclusionThe field has witnessed notable progress in multimodal treatment strategies, encompassing advances in surgical techniques, chemotherapy regimens, and targeted therapies, all of which have contributed to improved patient assessment and survival outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing integrated therapeutic approaches and refining clinical management protocols to further improve outcomes for patients with CRC and pulmonary metastases.
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spelling doaj-art-8935fa6e6bf9410d9d638d3d71271f932025-08-20T03:32:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-07-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15874221587422Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odysseyXu Zhang0Xu Zhang1Liping Wang2Tong Fu3Xuchu Duan4Hao Wang5Yuqing Chen6Xiaoyu Liu7Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Medical College, Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University (Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital), Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaClinical Medical Research Center, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Zhangjiagang Sixth People’s Hospital, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Electrocardiography, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Medical College, Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University (Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital), Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Medical College, Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University (Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital), Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaKey Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Medical College, Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University (Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital), Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaBackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, particularly when complicated by pulmonary metastasis (PM), which significantly worsens prognosis and reduces survival despite active treatment. The absence of standardized therapeutic strategies for CRC with PM has driven research into its underlying biological mechanisms, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, and tumor microenvironment dynamics.MethodsA bibliometric analysis was conducted on 2,645 publications related to CRC with PM retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (1991–2025). Analytical tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to map the intellectual structure, collaboration networks, and research hotspots within this domain.ResultsThe analysis identified China and Japan as the most prolific countries in CRC–PM research, with Robert M. Hoffman (USA) and David L. Morris (Australia) as the most productive authors, and Joachim Pfannschmidt (Germany) as the most frequently cited. Annals of Surgery was recognized as the most influential journal. Four primary research themes were identified: (1) molecular mechanisms underlying CRC lung metastasis, (2) surgical intervention strategies, (3) systemic therapies and clinical trials, and (4) clinical management and outcome evaluation. These studies reflect a growing emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches and translational research.ConclusionThe field has witnessed notable progress in multimodal treatment strategies, encompassing advances in surgical techniques, chemotherapy regimens, and targeted therapies, all of which have contributed to improved patient assessment and survival outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing integrated therapeutic approaches and refining clinical management protocols to further improve outcomes for patients with CRC and pulmonary metastases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1587422/fullbibliometric analysiscolorectal cancerpulmonary metastasesmolecular mechanismssurgical treatment
spellingShingle Xu Zhang
Xu Zhang
Liping Wang
Tong Fu
Xuchu Duan
Hao Wang
Yuqing Chen
Xiaoyu Liu
Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey
Frontiers in Oncology
bibliometric analysis
colorectal cancer
pulmonary metastases
molecular mechanisms
surgical treatment
title Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey
title_full Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey
title_fullStr Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey
title_full_unstemmed Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey
title_short Decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis: a global research odyssey
title_sort decoding colorectal cancer lung metastasis a global research odyssey
topic bibliometric analysis
colorectal cancer
pulmonary metastases
molecular mechanisms
surgical treatment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1587422/full
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