Role of sgk1 in cancer: a bibliometric analysis from 2013 to 2023—review article

Abstract Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) plays a multifaceted role in cancer progression and treatment resistance. Its importance stems from its role in several cellular functions essential to cancer development, including metabolism, apoptosis, cell survival, and proliferation. In cancer, SGK1 expression is often dysregulated, leading to its overactivation or overexpression in many malignancies. This dysregulation can promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis through several mechanisms. We perform a bibliometric analysis to explore the role of SGK1 in cancer in the last ten years. All publications related to this topic were retrieved from the Scopus database. Microsoft Office Excel 2021 and VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) were used for the bibliometric analysis. The filtered search identified 5322 articles published between 2013 and 2023. Regarding research and scientific collaboration in this field, China is in the lead, followed by the USA, Germany, the UK, Japan, and Italy. In summary, SGK1 plays a critical role in cancer by regulating cell survival, proliferation, metabolism, and stemness. Its dysregulation promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Targeting SGK1 is promising for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy, but further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and develop effective therapeutic strategies. Our study offers significant contributions to the field of cancer research by providing a comprehensive understanding of SGK1's role in cancer biology and highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. These insights can inform future studies and guide the development of novel cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment approaches.