Research progress on cuproptosis and its role in breast cancer: a bibliometric analysis

Breast cancer ranks as the most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide. Its pronounced heterogeneity presents a significant challenge to current therapeutic strategies. Cuproptosis, a recently identified form of regulated cell death that targets mitochondrial metabolism, has emerged as a promising novel avenue for breast cancer therapy. However, a systematic and quantitative overview of this burgeoning field is currently lacking. This study employs bibliometric methods to analyze publication trends, collaborative networks, and the evolution of key research themes. By doing so, we aim to delineate the current research hotspots and frontier dynamics in the intersection of cuproptosis and breast cancer, thereby providing a valuable reference and roadmap for future investigations. We searched Web of Science for relevant publications from database inception to December 31, 2024, to validate bibliometric findings through cross-database consistency checks. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and BICOMB software were used to analyze publication patterns, countries, institutions, authors, and research hotspots. A total of 525 publications were included in the final analysis. The field has progressed through an initial phase and a steady growth phase, followed by an explosive growth period from 2021 to 2024, during which publication output and citation frequency increased exponentially. China and the United States served as dual cores of international collaboration, with Wayne State University, Central South University, and others identified as core institutions. Journals in oncology and molecular biology, predominantly in Q1 and Q2 categories, were the primary publication venues. Keyword analysis revealed copper, cuproptosis, apoptosis, and breast cancer as central themes, with research hotspots progressively shifting from fundamental mechanisms toward clinical translation, as evidenced by keywords such as “therapy” exhibiting strong citation bursts. Highly cited publications formed critical knowledge hubs, establishing the foundational framework for understanding cuproptosis-mediated regulation in breast cancer. Research on cuproptosis in breast cancer has entered a phase of rapid expansion, emerging as a growing focus at the intersection of oncology and metal ion biology. The global research landscape is characterized by dual-core leadership from China and the United States, accompanied by multi-regional collaboration, with pronounced interdisciplinary integration. Research themes are centered on the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and its diagnostic and therapeutic value, demonstrating substantial translational potential. This study systematically delineates the developmental trajectory and research hotspots in this field, providing a reference for future investigations into targeted therapies and underlying mechanisms.