Global scientific growth and thematic development of spatial transcriptomics in oncology research

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) is a rapidly transforming cancer research by enabling spatially resolved gene expression profiling within intact tissues. However, the growth, structure, and thematic evolution of research on ST research in oncology have not been comprehensively mapped. This study aims to map and analyze global research trends of ST in oncology, identifying key contributors, collaborations, thematic focus areas, and technological evolutions in the field. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data extracted from Scopus database. VOSviewer tool was used to construct knowledge maps reflecting thematic clusters and intellectual clusters in ST-oncology research. Quantitative indicators were evaluated to identify historical evolution, key players, and research hotspots. The study identified 987 publications on ST in oncology. The annual growth of publications showed a significant surge over the past five years. China and the United States emerged as leading contributors with high levels of intra- and inter-national collaboration. Key journals included Nature Communications and Frontiers in Immunology. Academic and research institutions based in China dominated the field. Co-occurrence mapping identified the following high-frequency keywords: “tumor microenvironment”, “single-cell RNA sequencing”, and spatial resolution suggesting strong emphasis on integrating spatial biology with precision oncology. Bibliographic coupling illustrated a clustering around barcoding technologies and immune-oncology interfaces. The overlay visualization suggested a shift toward high resolution imaging, multi-omics integration, and AI-supported analytics. ST-oncology research is expanding rapidly with clear shifts toward higher resolution and integrative analytical frameworks. These findings provide a structured overview of the field’s knowledge base and can inform researchers, funders, and stakeholders about leading about leading contributors and emerging directions.