A bibliometric review of hotspots and trends in exosome research over the past decade

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the recent research hotspots and frontiers in the field of exosomes, offering a comprehensive review of advancements in exosome research and elucidating their implications and future directions. METHODS: English-language exosome-related literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection database from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024, was retrieved, and the data were analyzed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software. RESULTS: A total of 26,458 articles were included. The annual publication volume showed steady growth before 2022, followed by fluctuations and stabilization after 2022. The most prolific author was Takahiro Ochiya; the institution with the highest output was Shanghai Jiao Tong University; China was the leading country in terms of publications and maintained extensive collaborations with other nations. CONCLUSION: Current exosome research primarily focuses on pharmacological effects, drug delivery, and diagnostic applications, attracting global scholarly attention and demonstrating promising development momentum.