A bibliometric analysis of RNA methylation in prostate cancer and its complications from 2003 to 2024

Abstract

Background: RNA methylation has emerged as an active research field in prostate cancer (PCa) and its complications, while few bibliometric analyses have been performed. This study aims to analyze the development trends and hotspots of RNA methylation research to provide a comprehensive and objective overview of the current search state in this field of prostate cancer using bibliometric methods.

Methods: The articles and reviews regarding RNA methylation in PCa within 2003 to 2024, and its complications were from the Web of Science Core Collection databases. A retrospective bibliometric analysis and science mapping were performed using the CiteSpace software, the VOSviewer software, and the R package “bibliometrix” to plot the knowledge maps and predict the hotspots and trends.

Results: One hundred and twenty-two qualified records were retrieved. The annual publications gradually increased over the past 22 years. These publications mainly came from 19 countries led by China and 138 institutions. Among top 10 funders, 8 were Chinese, with NSFC supporting 68 studies. The most common keywords were “prostate cancer”, “expression”, “messenger-RNA”, “progression”, “methyltransferase METTL3 promotes”, “N6-methyladenosine”, and “promotes”. Keyword trends shifted from “m6A”/“METTL3” to “m6A modification”/“androgen receptor”/“metastasis”. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) within prostate cancer and its associated complications is an emerging frontier, with “m6A score” and “cellular senescence” as current priorities.

Conclusion: This research represents the inaugural bibliometric examination of the application of RNA methylation in PCa, utilizing three acknowledged bibliometric tools. It offers an impartial overview and holistic direction for subsequent pertinent studies.