SynthesisFrontiers in oncology2026
Bibliometric analysis of global research trends in spatially fractionated radiotherapy.
Synthesis in Frontiers in oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy (SFRT) is an innovative radiation oncology technique that strategically redistributes doses within a tumor volume to optimize tumor ablation while preserving normal tissue integrity. Despite substantial technological advancements and growing interdisciplinary interest, a systematic characterization of the global research environment remains absent. This study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation to map research trajectories and identify future priorities. Methods: A systematic search was performed across the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed databases, covering the period from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2025. Following the standard PRISMA guidelines, 427 eligible publications (385 primary articles and 42 reviews) were selected from an initial pool of 1,221 records. Three analytical platforms-VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Biblioshiny-were integrated to synthesize data on publication trends, institutional contributions, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution. Results: The SFRT landscape demonstrates a distinct three-phase evolutionary pattern, characterized by a substantial acceleration in publications and citations from 2020 to 2025. The United States maintains the highest cumulative research output, whereas France exhibits leading institutional productivity and significant citation impact. Foundational works in physical dosimetry and early preclinical models have established the disciplinary knowledge base. Thematic evolution identifies five core clusters, revealing a paradigm shift from early investigations into microbeam technology and cellular radiobiology toward recent advancements in proton minibeam therapy, computational precision, and clinical feasibility assessment. Conclusion: SFRT is a maturing interdisciplinary field that increasingly integrates dose heterogeneity with complex radiobiological responses. To facilitate broader clinical implementation, future research must focus on identifying robust biological markers, refining delivery technologies, and establishing standardized protocols through large-scale prospective trials.
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Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.