Cancer Cell (journal)

Cancer Cell (journal)
source
Title	Cancer Cell
Discipline	Oncology
Language	English
Publisher	Cell Press
Country	United States
History	2002–present
Frequency	Monthly
Issn	1535-6108

Cancer Cell (journal) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering research in oncology, cancer biology, and translational medicine. Established in 2002 and published by Cell Press, the journal has published original research, reviews, and perspectives that intersect with clinical trials, molecular genetics, and therapeutic development. It sits alongside other high-profile publications such as Nature Medicine, The Lancet Oncology, Science Translational Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Cell in shaping discourse on tumorigenesis, metastasis, and targeted therapy.

History

Cancer Cell was founded in 2002 by editors associated with Cell Press amid a period of expansion in specialty journals paralleling developments in Human Genome Project-era genomics, the rise of targeted therapy exemplified by imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia, and translational initiatives like the National Cancer Institute's programmatic shifts. Early issues featured work connected to pathways involving p53, PI3K/AKT pathway, and RAS signaling, and included studies related to tumor suppressors such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Over successive editorial tenures, the journal published influential articles tied to discoveries in epigenetics involving EZH2, chromatin regulators like SWI/SNF complex, and immune-oncology concepts connected to PD-1 and CTLA-4. Editorial leadership changes paralleled activity from institutions including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Scope and Editorial Policy

The journal's scope emphasizes mechanistic studies that bridge basic science and clinical relevance, soliciting manuscripts on signaling networks (e.g., MAPK pathway, mTOR), tumor microenvironment research invoking tumor-associated macrophage studies, and translational reports including biomarker-driven trials tied to agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and consortia such as The Cancer Genome Atlas. Its editorial policy stresses rigorous peer review, reproducibility standards aligned with guidelines from organizations like the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and ethical expectations referenced by bodies such as the Committee on Publication Ethics. Cancer Cell frequently commissions reviews and perspectives by leaders from universities like Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford, and collaborates with clinical networks including European Society for Medical Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology on thematic content.

Publication and Access Model

Published monthly by Cell Press, the journal adopts a traditional subscription model supplemented by options for open access publishing under terms compatible with funder mandates from organizations such as the Wellcome Trust, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the National Institutes of Health. Articles undergo initial editorial triage followed by external peer review from reviewers affiliated with institutions such as Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, San Francisco, and Karolinska Institutet. The production process aligns with standards used by peer journals like EMBO Journal and Nature Communications, offering online early view and curated sections on translational impact similar to formats seen in Cell Reports Medicine. Licensing and archiving practices reference repositories and policies from entities including PubMed Central and national libraries like the Library of Congress.

Abstracting and Indexing

The journal is indexed in major bibliographic databases and abstracting services used by researchers affiliated with institutions such as Yale University, Princeton University, Imperial College London, and University of Tokyo. Indexing platforms include PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, with metadata practices compatible with identifiers from CrossRef and standards promoted by groups like the Open Researcher and Contributor ID initiative. This indexing facilitates discoverability for clinical investigators in networks like European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and basic scientists linked to consortia such as International Cancer Genome Consortium.

Impact and Reception

Cancer Cell is recognized for high citation metrics within oncology and biomedical literature, frequently compared to journals such as Nature, Science, Cell Metabolism, and Cancer Discovery. Its published work has informed clinical guidelines from committees within organizations like National Comprehensive Cancer Network and influenced drug development programs at pharmaceutical companies including Roche, Pfizer, Novartis, and Merck & Co.. The journal's articles have been cited in policy briefings and reviews involving stakeholders such as the World Health Organization and have contributed to academic discourse at conferences like the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting and the European Society for Medical Oncology congress. Reception among researchers spans praise for translational emphasis and occasional critique typical of high-impact specialty journals regarding novelty thresholds and reproducibility debates highlighted in forums hosted by Retraction Watch and scholarly societies.

Category:Oncology journals Category:Cell Press journals