Bibliometric analysis of research on liver cancer and single‑cell RNA sequencing: evolutionary trends, opportunities, and future perspectives

Abstract Purpose This bibliometric analysis systematically maps the evolving research landscape of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in liver cancer (LC). It summarizes global publication trends, identifies key contributors and collaborative networks, and trace the development of research hotspots over time. Methods Publications related to scRNA-seq in LC research, published between 2017 and 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using tools such as Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer. These tools were used to analyze publication trends, contributions by country and institution, collaborative networks, authors, journals, and the evolution of research hotspots. Results A total of 979 publications were included, revealing a rapid increase in annual publications. China was the dominant contributor, followed by the United States, with Chinese institutions leading in research output. Keyword evolution analysis showed a clear trajectory: that initial research focused on transcriptomic atlas construction, progressed to characterizing the tumor microenvironment (TME), and is now shifting towards deciphering dynamic cellular crosstalk, extracellular vesicles, and gene regulatory networks to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Conclusion These findings outline the historical trajectory of the field and reveal emerging frontiers in scRNA-seq–based LC research. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving field of scRNA-seq in LC research. The findings highlight a clear progression from descriptive cellular cataloging toward a focus on the dynamic TME and cell–cell communication, underscoring the technology’s pivotal role in driving translational discoveries.