Researchers published evidence in Nature Communications that the m6A RNA demethylase ALKBH5 sustains colorectal cancer stemness and chemotherapy resistance. The study showed genetic or pharmacologic ALKBH5 inhibition decreased cancer stem cell markers, impaired tumor‑initiating capacity in models and resensitized tumors to standard chemotherapy. Investigators propose ALKBH5 as a druggable epitranscriptomic node to overcome resistance. The paper provides preclinical validation—mechanistic readouts, xenograft data and patient‑derived organoid assays—supporting ALKBH5 as a potential target for combination therapy development in refractory colorectal cancer.