First Issue in JCO Molecular Oncology Series Now Available

The new Special Series of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), ASCO’s flagship journal, continues with its first issue in the Special Series on Molecular Oncology. The print issue will be mailed and made available on JCO.org on Thursday, February 10. In the meantime, several articles from the issue can be accessed from the Early Release page of JCO.org.

Lee M. Ellis, MD, serves as editor of the issue, which includes eight articles on antiangiogenesis, as well as an editorial by Dr. Ellis. The studies explore targeted therapy with lapatinib, IM862, BAY 43-9006 and other vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, imatinib, and CDP860, as well as intratumoral injection of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with an adenovirus encoding interleukin-12 genes; a multitargeted, metronomic, and maximum-tolerated dose "chemo-switch"; and tumor-associated macrophages.

"Feedback we receive through readership surveys and informally from colleagues suggests that readers are eager to expand their knowledge of molecular oncology to build a firmer understanding of this growing field in anticipation of integrating it into practice. We understand that this is the direction in which oncology is moving and want us all to be prepared as practice-changing findings emerge," explains Daniel Haller, MD, JCO Editor-in-Chief.

The Molecular Oncology Series, like its counterpart Review Series, includes six issues per year, with publication every other month. Issues making up the Special Series are smaller than typical issues of the JCO — about 120 pages. To enhance reader understanding, articles feature high-quality, detailed graphics for increased readability as well as glossaries containing definitions of potentially unfamiliar scientific terms, especially important for an emerging field such as molecular oncology.

S. Gail Eckhardt, MD, of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, serves as Special Series Editor for the Molecular Oncology series. Together, she and Dr. Haller have selected one or more experts in their field to serve as Guest Editors for each issue. These editors will help identify topics relevant to current clinical practice, and their participation in the project is expected "to help attract the best original research in the field," according to Dr. Haller.

A new area on the JCO website is devoted to the Special Series, with information on planned issues, Guest Editors, call for manuscripts, and a glossary of terms highlighted in the print issues. The full Molecular Oncology issue will be available in that area on February 10. Until then, several of the articles can be accessed from the Early Release page of the site.