Decade of Research on the cGAS-STING Pathway in Cancer: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015 – 2025)

Purpose: The cGAS–STING pathway is a central component of the innate immune system by detecting cytoplasmic DNA and initiating antitumor immunity. Due to its involvement in critical biological processes, including inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy, this pathway has attracted increasing attention as a promising therapeutic target in cancer research. Methods: On May 4, 2025, an extensive search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database using the terms “cGAS-STING Pathway” AND “Cancer.” Publications from 2015 to 2025 were analyzed in terms of citation counts, publication trends over time, countries with the highest output and citations, most cited papers, frequently referenced authors, and the co-occurrence of author keywords. Network visualizations were generated using VOSviewer software. Results: The search identified 827 relevant articles. Annual publication counts showed a steady increase, peaking in 2024. The People’s Republic of China ranked first with 561 publications and 11,946 citations, followed by the United States with 178 publications and 9,957 citations. The majority of articles appeared in high-impact journals, which also published the most highly cited studies in this field. Recent research has increasingly focused on the role and therapeutic potential of the cGAS-STING pathway in cancer treatment. Conclusion: From 2015 to 2025, research on the cGAS–STING pathway in oncology has expanded substantially, with growing emphasis on therapeutic strategies involving innate immunity. These trends reflect heightened scholarly interest in the pathway’s function in cancer immunotherapy and underscore its potential as a promising target for future research and drug development.