Current and future of immunotherapy for thyroid cancer based on bibliometrics and clinical trials

Abstract Background Thyroid cancer is a leading endocrine malignancy, with anaplastic and medullary subtypes posing treatment challenges. Existing therapies have limited efficacy, highlighting a need for innovative approaches. Methods We analyzed 658 articles and 87 eligible clinical trials using bibliometric tools and database searches, including annual publication and citation trends, were executed using Web of Science, CiteSpace, and VOS Viewer. Results Post-2018, there is a surge in thyroid cancer immunotherapy research, primarily from China and the University of Pisa. Of the 87 trials, 32 were Phase I and 55 were Phase II, mostly exploring combination therapies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Conclusion The study's dual approach verifies the swift advancement of thyroid cancer immunotherapy from diverse perspectives. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become the preferred regimen for advanced MTC and ATC in late therapeutic lines. However, since ICB plays a pivotal role in ATC, current clinical trial data show that ATC patients account for more and the curative effect is more accurate. Anticipated future developments are inclined toward combination regimens integrating immunotherapy with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. Emerging approaches, such as bispecific antibodies, cytokine-based therapies, and adoptive cell therapies like CAR-T and TCR-T, are exhibiting considerable potential. Upcoming research is expected to concentrate on refining the tumor immune milieu and discovering novel biomarkers germane to immunotherapeutic interventions.