A Decade of Scientific Growth (2004-2013)
In the landscape of global health, prostate cancer has emerged as a significant concern for men worldwide, particularly in developing nations like India. Between 2004 and 2013, while Western nations dominated prostate cancer research, Indian scientists began making substantial contributions to this vital field of study.
This period marked an important chapter in India's scientific journey, as researchers nationwide turned their attention to a disease of growing importance in the country's public health narrative. Through meticulous analysis of scientific publications, we can trace the development of India's research ecosystem during this formative decade, revealing both impressive growth and critical gaps that would shape future investigations into this complex disease.
Publications by Indian Researchers
Annual Average Growth Rate
Worldwide, prostate cancer ranks as the second most common cancer in men, with over 1.3 million new cases diagnosed annually 9 . The disease exhibits notable geographic variation, with higher incidence rates typically observed in developed countries where prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is more prevalent 6 .
The 2004-2013 period saw significant evolution in prostate cancer detection methods that influenced research worldwide, including in India.
From 2004 to 2013, India established a growing yet modest presence in the global prostate cancer research community. Scientometric analysis reveals that India produced 1,368 publications on prostate cancer during this decade, accounting for approximately 1.52% of the global output 1 .
Chart: India's Research Output Growth (2004-2013)
This positioned India at 14th place worldwide in terms of publication volume, demonstrating engagement with international scientific discourse while highlighting room for growth compared to research powerhouses like the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany 1 .
| State | Contribution to National Output |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Leading contributor |
| Maharashtra | Significant share |
| Uttar Pradesh | Notable contribution |
| Tamil Nadu | Notable contribution |
| Combined Total | 57.82% of Indian publications 1 |
International collaboration represented a crucial aspect of India's prostate cancer research strategy during this period. Approximately 23.39% of Indian publications involved international partners, with the United States being the most frequent collaborator (216 collaborative publications) 1 .
Collaboration Network Visualization
Other significant partner countries included the United Kingdom (29 collaborative publications), Germany (24), and Canada (23) 1 .
A relatively small number of institutions drove a significant portion of India's prostate cancer research output. The top 20 organizations contributed 41.81% of the national publication total, while the top 19 authors accounted for 24.05% of publications 1 .
This concentration of research productivity in select institutions and individual researchers is common in emerging scientific fields where specialized expertise and resources are still developing.
The research spanned multiple scientific disciplines, reflecting the complex nature of prostate cancer requiring insights from various scientific perspectives.
| Research Discipline | Share of Output |
|---|---|
| Medicine | 59.50% |
| Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology | 40.13% |
| Pharmacology, Toxicology & Pharmaceutics | 27.63% |
| Chemistry | 8.55% |
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 4.31% |
| Immunology and Microbiology | 2.70% 1 |
Indian researchers investigated various aspects of prostate cancer management, with particular focus on practical clinical applications.
Diagnosis, screening, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, pathology, and prognosis together accounted for 60.24% of publications among treatment methods studied 1 .
This emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches reflected the immediate public health needs surrounding prostate cancer in the Indian context.
The focus on these practical aspects of cancer management aligned with the researchers' identified need for developing a comprehensive national policy for prostate cancer that would address "screening for detection and diagnosis, management and treatment options" for patients across India 1 5 .
| Research Reagent/Material | Function in Research |
|---|---|
| Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | Key biomarker measured in blood tests for screening and diagnosis 2 4 |
| Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) | Target for advanced imaging and emerging therapies 4 |
| Gleason grading system | Microscopic tissue evaluation method that classifies cancer aggressiveness 2 8 |
| CAR-T cells | Genetically engineered immune cells designed to target cancer cells |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Investigated for potential protective effects against prostate cancer 3 |
| Multiparametric MRI | Advanced imaging technique for detailed prostate visualization 4 8 |
The 2004-2013 period represented a formative decade for prostate cancer research in India, characterized by steady growth in output, developing international partnerships, and increasing scientific impact. While India's global share remained modest at 1.52%, the impressive annual growth rate of nearly 19% signaled a research community actively expanding its capabilities and contributions to this vital field 1 .
Global Share
Annual Growth
Citations per Paper
The research landscape that emerged was one of concentrated productivity at leading institutions, multidisciplinary approaches spanning medicine to molecular biology, and a practical focus on diagnostic and treatment methods that could address immediate healthcare needs.
As the scientists behind the analysis emphasized, their findings highlighted "the need for developing national policy for prostate cancer which should take care of screening for detection and diagnosis, management and treatment options" 1 .
This decade of research established a crucial foundation upon which Indian science would continue to build. The knowledge gained, collaborations formed, and institutional capacities developed during these years would prove invaluable in addressing the growing challenge of prostate cancer in India's future public health landscape.