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Editorial

Welcome to Molecular Cancer Research

Molecular Cancer Research

Scientists may continue to debate whether we are in the genomic era or the post-genomic era, but everyone agrees that it is an exciting time in the world of cancer research. Since the "war on cancer" was declared three decades ago, much has been learned about the nature of cancer cells. Many of these insights arose from impressive advances in technology. Who would have predicted in 1971 that some 30 years later we would be sequencing the genomes of entire organisms (including humans)and would have computers and software available to all researchers to permit rapid searches for particular sequences? Did anyone envision the ability of laboratories to routinely amplify nucleic acid macromolecules so that single copies of genes and the proteins that bind to them could be easily studied? Advances in biologic insights have been similarly dramatic. Tumor suppressor genes were largely an epidemiological concept in 1971, and the proof of the existence of endogenous oncogenes was still years away. Although observant pathologists sometimes noted the unusual and variable nature of the vasculature of tumors, the importance of angiogenesis in tumor biology would not become a popular topic in the field for many years. These and other concepts, which now seem almost self-evident, represent significant advances in the field of cancer research.

To some extent, we have also witnessed a clinical impact from integrating molecular analyses into tumor diagnosis and prognosis. For example, detection of the presence of bcr/abl translocations or amplification of the Her2neu cell surface receptor can change the prognosis and treatment regimen used for patients with malignancies. Detection of particular inherited gene mutations and resultant prediction of enhanced cancer susceptibility also represent clinical applications of tumor biology insights. And the ability to use such technological advances as computer-reconstructed images of internal organs generated by CT scanners or MR imagers has markedly changed the practice of oncologic medicine in the past 25 years.

No one is satisfied, however, with the pace of applying the technologic and biologic advances to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. We must improve the speed with which we apply laboratory breakthroughs to the development of novel and specific therapies for human cancers. The use of antibodies targeted against specific tumor cell surface molecules and the recent integration of kinase inhibitors, such as STI571, into the therapeutic armamentarium, are important developments, hopefully heralding the beginning of the end of this frustration. There is palpable excitement in the cancer research community and the public is anxiously awaiting reports of new advances in treatment.

Rapid and effective communication of scientific insights is key to optimal translation of discoveries. Our goal for Molecular Cancer Research is to strengthen and accelerate the communication of important scientific information in molecular and cellular cancer biology. Toward that end, content will be presented in new sections that reflect natural groupings of fields within cancer biology, each led by a distinguished Senior Editor, supported by a highly expert Editorial Board. With this issue, the American Association for Cancer Research is launching its new on-line peer-review system, which enables authors to submit manuscripts over the Internet, greatly shortening the time it will take us to make new information available to our readers. In addition, we plan to institute a "fast track" section, where a small number of highly important articles with an immediate impact on cancer research will be published on-line in advance of print publication, providing open electronic access to these articles worldwide.

If you are working in molecular and cellular biology, are focusing your studies on issues related to cancer, and have novel and well-designed research, Molecular Cancer Research is a journal you should consider for the publication of your work. If you wish to find a forum with a critical mass of information about the latest advances in molecular and cellular aspects of cancer biology, Molecular Cancer Research is a journal you should be reading regularly.

With this inaugural issue, Molecular Cancer Research joins the circle of outstanding journals published by the American Association for Cancer Research: Clinical Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention, and, of course, the AACR's renowned, widely cited, and comprehensive general cancer journal, Cancer Research.I invite you to send us your papers and your suggestions for making Molecular Cancer Research into a highly useful resource for those who work to conquer cancer.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kastan, M. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Kastan, M. B.