In today's rapidly evolving landscape of cancer treatment, a journal's academic impact should go beyond the printed page and be effectively translated into reliable evidence for clinical decision-making. The journal I serve, Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology (TAMO), is committed to this mission.

Frontiers of clinical oncology research

Cancer has become a major global public health challenge. According to the latest data, there were approximately 20 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2022. Driven by population aging and lifestyle changes, the global cancer burden is expected to continue rising, with new cases projected to exceed 35 million by 2050.

In this situation, rapidly and reliably translating the latest scientific findings into clinical practice has become critical for the global medical community.

As the flagship oncology journal under Sage Publishing, TAMO strives to publish research of significant value to oncology research and clinical practice. It covers clinical trials and real-world evidence studies, with a focus on cutting-edge topics such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy and biomarker discovery.

In particular, it emphasizes innovative research that can directly improve patient outcomes, thereby serving as a bridge between advancing academic knowledge and optimizing clinical decision-making.

Promoting paradigm shifts

Over the past decade, TAMO has published studies that are not only widely cited in the academic community but have also been incorporated into clinical guidelines and policy documents across multiple countries, exerting a profound influence on cancer treatment concepts and practices worldwide.

For example, a 2022 article, "Reconsidering T component of cancer staging for T3/T4 non-small-cell lung cancer with additional nodule," was adopted by the expert consensus of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (U.S.).

By systematically re-evaluating T staging in the presence of additional nodules, the study clarified key factors affecting surgical feasibility and staging stratification, providing evidence-based support for multidisciplinary discussions and resectability assessment in locally advanced cases.

While driving changes in clinical practice, TAMO also emphasizes innovation in scientific communication. We encourage authors to provide plain language summaries alongside their articles and support their publication as independent, secondary outputs.

These articles explain the core value of research in clear, everyday language for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the wider public, thereby expanding the reach and societal impact of oncology research.

Upholding rigorous standards

We have established a rigorous manuscript handling process: Submissions are first assessed by the editorial team for ethical compliance and scientific quality, followed by peer review.

Each manuscript is peer reviewed by at least two independent experts active in the field, and statistical reviewers are invited when necessary to ensure scientific rigor. Every manuscript is jointly handled by the editor and associate editors, and all associate editors are scholars actively engaged in frontline research, with deep professional expertise and extensive clinical experience, thus providing a solid guarantee of academic quality.

Engaging with Chinese academic community

In recent years, submissions and publications from Chinese authors to TAMO have continued to grow. Chinese researchers have achieved outstanding results in areas such as immunotherapy, targeted drug development, clinical trials and real-world study, and early cancer screening technologies, making important contributions to the development of global cancer treatment.

Currently, more than 10 Chinese scholars have joined the TAMO editorial board, bringing deep expertise in clinical oncology, drug development and related fields, and providing strong support for the journal's growth.

The journal also places emphasis on engaging with Chinese scholars and authors, e.g., organizing webinars to help authors improve their submissions, and is participating in academic events such as the Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, strengthening its ties with the Chinese academic community.

At the beginning of TAMO's 17th year, I have succeeded Georgia Patey as the new editor. Based in Shanghai, I am committed to providing more direct and effective support to local researchers, helping high-quality academic work to be published and gain broader international visibility.

Looking ahead, TAMO will continue to focus on research from China. We warmly welcome Chinese clinicians and researchers to join TAMO's global academic community to foster deeper collaboration and exchanges.

The author is the editor of TAMO and senior managing editor at Sage Publishing.

Journal Review

The field of tumor treatment has witnessed rapid and cutting-edge advancements in recent years. It is imperative for academic journals to effectively communicate these research achievements to the global community of researchers and clinicians. TAMO is committed to fulfilling this responsibility by disseminating high-quality, clinically relevant research.

As a specialized journal in oncology, TAMO has established a prominent academic standing through its unique mission: accelerating the translation of scientific breakthroughs into clinical practice and evidence-based decision-making. By doing so, the journal plays a critical role in alleviating the global burden of cancer and addressing key challenges in oncology.

—— Si Lu, professor and chief physician, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute