Soumia HAMMADI
Department of Sciences, University Center Aflou, P.O Box 306. 03000. Aflou. Laghouat (Algeria)
Benchaa BenKaddour
Laboratory of Vegetal Biotechnology Applied for Culture Improvement, Faculty of Sciences, University Sfax (Tunisie)
Dounya Kassimi
Department of Sciences, University Center Aflou, P.O Box 306. 03000. Aflou. Laghouat (Algeria)
Walid Hassene HAMRI
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Djillali Liabes University, P.OBox 98, Sidi-Bel-Abbes (Algeria)
Rachid CHAIBI
Laboratory of Agronomy and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology , University Amar Telidji – 37G Ghardaia Road 03000 Laghouat (Algeria)
ABSTRACT
Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) embody a central paradox in contemporary biomedicine—acting simultaneously as mediators of disease and as vehicles for therapeutic innovation. Despite the exponential growth of literature exploring these dual roles, a comprehensive quantitative comparison of EV research in therapy and pathogenesis has remained unexplored. Objective: This study addresses this gap through a systematic bibliometric analysis of global EV research (2014–2024), providing a visual overview of the current research landscape, emerging trends, and the convergence potential between therapeutic and pathogenic domains. Methods: Conducted in accordance with the PRISMA framework, this bibliometric investigation utilized the Scopus database. A structured search identified 58,314 publications, with 15,153 (therapy) and 7,776 (pathogenesis) meeting the inclusion criteria. VOSviewer (version 2010) was employed for network construction and visualization of keyword co-occurrence, citation networks, and thematic clusters. Results: The analysis uncovered a definitive paradigm shift, with therapeutic output overtaking pathogenesis in 2019 and maintaining a steeper growth trajectory. However, this quantitative transition conceals a deep-seated structural divide. The two domains have evolved as distinct intellectual silos, with specialized high-impact clusters pathogenesis in neurodegenerative biomarkers (FWCI=2.80) and therapy in delivery platforms like mRNA vaccines (FWCI=2.63). Crucially, this segregation is reified by geographically distinct collaborative networks and a parallel, non-interacting investigation of shared biological mechanisms (e.g., neural communication). Conclusion: This study provides the first quantitative map of the EV field's dualism, revealing that its central challenge is not a lack of activity, but a lack of integration. The findings underscore an urgent need to forge strategic links between pathogenic insight and therapeutic engineering to unlock the full clinical potential of EVs.
Keywords: Extracellular Vesicles -(EVs), Exosomes, Bibliometric Analysis, EVs Therapeutic Potential, EVs Pathogenic potentiel, Translational Research, Double-Edged Sword.
