Visualization and Cluster Analysis of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in Colorectal Cancer: Research Trends and Future Directions.

[OBJECTIVE] Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are essential regulators in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of PPAR-related CRC research is lacking.

[METHODS] Publications on PPARs in CRC from 1998 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package bibliometrix were used to analyze publication trends, hotspots, and collaboration networks. Contributions from countries, institutions, authors, and journals were systematically evaluated.

[RESULTS] A total of 1380 publications were analyzed, with an annual growth rate of 8.33%. The United States led with the highest number of publications (386) and citations (28,461), followed by China and Japan. The University of Texas System was the most productive institution (125 publications). Gonzalez, Frank J. and Peters, Jeffrey M. were the most prolific authors (16 publications each). was the leading journal. Cluster analysis of keywords identified three major themes: regulatory mechanisms of PPARs in CRC, the association with obesity, and therapeutic applications. Current research hotspots included proliferation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and ulcerative colitis.

[CONCLUSION] This study highlights three key research focuses: molecular mechanisms of PPARs in CRC, the link between obesity and CRC, and therapeutic potential. These findings underscore the growing interest in PPAR-mediated metabolic regulation, inflammation, and targeted interventions, offering valuable guidance for future research directions.