Abstract
It is an exciting time in scientific and translational research, especially in the treatment of cancer with biologic therapies and radiopharmaceutical agents. Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals is the established journal (first volume published in 1985, 136 issues, 1540 articles) for publication of original research papers, short communications, and review articles that address cutting-edge advancements in biologic and radiopharmaceutical approaches that improve cancer diagnosis, imaging, treatment, and management.
Our Editorial Board is composed of leading experts in the fields of research covered in the journal. In addition, there are several new Associate Editors from Africa and India to help expand the coverage in those countries. In 2012, Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals is expanding to 10 issues a year, enabling us to publish more of the best science and innovative therapeutic investigations to ultimately improve cancer management.
Extensive coverage will continue on advancements in radioimmunotherapy and the use of radiopharmaceuticals and radiolabeled peptides for the development of new cancer treatments, including radiolabeling procedures and radiation dosimetry. An expanded focus will be placed on cancer immunotherapy (cancer vaccines, T-cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies), cytokine therapy, antibody drug conjugates, cancer gene therapy, cell-based therapies, fusion toxins and immunotoxins, nanoparticle therapy, vascular therapy, and inhibitors of proliferation signaling pathways.
In an effort to increase the readership and the quality of the manuscripts submitted, we plan to publish monthly peer-reviewed “Perspectives” on hot topic areas and original research articles from leading investigators in the fields of biotherapy and radiopharmaceutical therapy. We will also solicit articles and reviews from investigators in these fields that will be rigorously peer-reviewed. Our goal is to make Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals the leading cancer specialty journal in these areas.
In this first issue of 2012, Jeffrey Schlom, Head, Immunotherapeutics Group, and Chief, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, presents a Perspective on “Recent Advances in Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines,” with two accompanying original articles from his laboratory. This is a timely topic in view of the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of the first therapeutic cancer vaccine for prostate cancer and the ongoing studies with other therapeutic vaccines.
Recent emphasis has been placed on the use of genomics and proteomics for selection of individualized cancer treatments, identification of agents that target cancer stem cells or prevent metastases, molecular imaging, apoptosis-inducing agents, radiosensitizers, and approaches to overcome drug resistance. We invite manuscript submissions in each of these areas, with a promise of rigorous and rapid review. Considerable progress has been achieved in cancer research and treatment in the last decade, and it is our intention to promote future advances by providing a forum for the presentation and discussion of provocative approaches, methods, and results to advance cancer management.
It is my pleasure to join Robert Oldham, the Founding Editor of this journal, to take on the challenge of bringing this journal to a higher level.