CFTR and cystic fibrosis: The three hot spots of chloride channel research were “cystic fibrosis,” “identification of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator,” and “calcium-activated chloride channel.” The top three research frontiers were “the CFTR mutation locus,” “clinical trial of VX-770 in the treatment of cystic fibrosis,” and “insecticides that act on GABA receptors.” Bibliometric analysis of the literature on the chloride channels was important in allowing researchers to identify cooperations, find research hotspots, and predict the frontiers of chloride channel research.