Global trends and thematic evolution of PCNA in DNA metabolism and cellular life activities research: bibliometric analysis in silico

The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) functions as a central regulatory element in DNA metabolism and cellular processes. Advancements in PCNA research are crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of PCNA-related literature published in PubMed from 2020 to 2025, employing the bibliometrix package in R. It systematically examined research hotspots, thematic evolution, and patterns of international collaboration within this domain. The findings indicate that PCNA research has established a knowledge framework centered on DNA replication and repair, with an emerging focus on tumor-related phenotypes. Although China leads in publication output, the global collaboration network remains limited, with knowledge dissemination predominantly occurring through a few prolific institutions and high-impact journals. This study is the first to elucidate the translational gap between basic and clinical research, as well as the structural characteristics of inadequate collaboration within the PCNA field, from a bibliometric perspective. It offers data support and decision-making references for optimizing field development and fostering high-quality collaboration.