Bridging the Translational Gap in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Bibliometric and Evidence-Based Assessment of Secretome and Stem Cell Therapeutics

Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a significant worldwide challenge where few disease-modifying treatments are available. Additionally, secretome- and stem cell-based therapeutics have emerged as potential translational strategies. However, the research landscape has not been systematically assessed. Methods A bibliometric analysis (2003–2025) was performed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny from Scopus data. Research hotspots, knowledge gaps, and translational implications were summarized. Preclinical and clinical evidence were combined for context. Results There were 182 papers identified. Most of the funding was provided by the United States and China, reflecting different priorities for clinical translation and molecular innovation. Four themes were identified by co-occurrence analysis: (1) secretome and extracellular vesicles; (2) microglia and neuroinflammation; (3) aging and neurodegenerative diseases; and (4) neural stem cells and functional recovery. Publication output increased after 2016, with a growing trend towards the translation of regenerative and cell-free therapies. Discussion Secretomes and stem cell-based therapies offer compelling prospects for precision AD therapy; however, roadblocks to clinical translation remain, including standardization, delivery, and regulatory approval. Cross-disciplinary interaction and streamlined pipelines are critically required to address the translational bottleneck.