Mapping the maturation of TCM as an adjuvant to radiotherapy

TL;DR

This study analyzes 25 years of research on TCM as an adjuvant to radiotherapy, revealing a mature, evolving, and thematically structured field with signs of saturation and positive reporting bias.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive large-scale analysis of publication trends, thematic axes, and the evolution of TCM in oncology, highlighting its current maturity and future potential.

Findings

Field shows cyclical publication and collaboration patterns.

Five dominant thematic axes identified in TCM research.

Evidence suggests a mature field with positive reporting bias.

Abstract

The integration of complementary medicine into oncology represents a paradigm shift that has seen to increasing adoption of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adjuvant to radiotherapy. About twenty-five years since the formal institutionalization of integrated oncology, it is opportune to synthesize the trajectory of evidence for TCM as an adjuvant to radiotherapy. Here we conduct a large-scale analysis of 69,745 publications (2000 - 2025), emerging a cyclical evolution defined by coordinated expansion and contraction in publication output, international collaboration, and funding commitments that mirrors a define-ideate-test pattern. Using a theme modeling workflow designed to determine a stable thematic structure of the field, we identify five dominant thematic axes - cancer types, supportive care, clinical endpoints, mechanisms, and methodology - that signal a focus on patient well-being, scientific rigor and mechanistic exploration. Cross-theme integration of TCM is patient-centered and systems-oriented. Together with the emergent cycles of evolution, the thematic structure demonstrates progressive specialization and potential defragmentation of the field or saturation of existing research agenda. The analysis points to a field that has matured its current research agenda and is likely at the cusp of something new. Additionally, the field exhibits positive reporting of findings that is homogeneous across publication types, thematic areas, and the cycles of evolution suggesting a system-wide positive reporting bias agnostic to structural drivers.