Mapping recent developments in ALKBH5-related cancer research: a bibliometric and visualization analysis

Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is a key epitranscriptomic regulator implicated in cancer progression. Although ALKBH5, an m6A demethylase, has been widely studied, a systematic overview of the global research landscape remains limited. Bibliometric analysis can help address this gap by visualizing publication patterns and research hotspots. This study aims to delineate the developmental trends of ALKBH5 research in oncology from 2016 to 2025. Methods Cancer-focused publications on ALKBH5 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection for the period 2016–2025. Bibliometric and visualization analyses were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and SCImago Graphica. Results From 2016 to 2025, 551 publications were identified, with most outputs originating from China and the United States. Co-citation analysis highlighted Chuan Chen as a highly influential author, and Frontiers in Oncology was the most productive journal. Keyword burst analysis indicated increasing attention to the tumor microenvironment, suggesting a growing focus on microenvironment- and immunity-related mechanisms. Overall, these findings support ALKBH5 as a promising candidate for future therapeutic development. Conclusions This study summarizes publication trends and research frontiers in ALKBH5-related cancer research. The results provide a reference framework that may inform future mechanistic studies and clinical translation.