Global research trends in radiotherapy for breast cancer: a systematic bibliometric analysis.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. Radiotherapy (RT) is an important adjunctive therapy for breast cancer, but the current international research trend of RT in breast cancer treatment and management is unclear. This bibliometric analysis was conducted to investigate the current trends and hot topics in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC; Clarivate) database was searched, VOSviewer 1.6.18 and CiteSpace 6.1.R2 software were employed for the quantitative and qualitative analysis. RESULTS: 12,268 publications were included in this bibliometric analysis. There was an increasing trend of publications and international collaborations in the topic. The United States and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were the most productive countries and institutions, respectively. The analysis of journals showed researches focused on both basic and clinical medicine on breast cancer RT. Park Won published the most papers and Fisher B had the most co-citations. The most co-cited paper was published in the Lancet. Survival, risk, chemotherapy, mastectomy, and surgery were regarded as current research hotspots through the analysis of keywords. CONCLUSION: Through quantitative and qualitative bibliometric analyses, this study provides insights into the research trends and potential research hotspots on breast cancer RT.

Valproic acid counteracts polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-induced tumorigenic effects by regulating the polarization of macrophages.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common persistent organic pollutants that are carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic, causing a variety of harm to human health. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of how valproic acid (VPA) interferes with the carcinogenesis of PAHs protect normal tissues via the regulation of macrophages' function. Using the established model of transformed malignant breast cancer by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a representative PAH carcinogen, we discovered VPA induces the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype in the tumor tissues, facilitates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-12 and TNF-α, activates CD8+ T cells to secret Granzyme B thus to promote the apoptosis of tumor cells and suppresses the viability of vascular endothelial cells in tissue stroma of tumor. Surprisingly, VPA selectively induces macrophages to polarize towards the M2 phenotype in normal tissues and promotes the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 to enhance cell proliferation. Additionally, at the cellular level, VPA can directly regulate the polarization of macrophages to affect the growth of vascular endothelial cells by simulating the living conditions of tumor and normal cells. Collectively, VPA exerts an interventional effect on tumor growth and a protective effect on normal tissues by regulation of selective macrophages' polarization in their microenvironment.