Inf. J . Cancer: 17, 289-291 (1976)
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER-A OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF General background
The International Journal of Cancer was launched in 1965 after thorough discussion concerning the need for an international cancer journal. This was most pertinent in view of the rapid proliferation of scientific journals in general. Uncertainty was also expressed as to whether a new multi-disciplinary publication would be able to attract sufficient support among scientists at a time when the general trend seemed to be towards more specialized journals. The Acta Un. int. Cancr., which ceased publication in 1964, had previously been the only internationally based cancer journal. However, some of the major national periodicals were-and arealso major international channels of publication. It was also known that while the UICC was considering the matter, two other cancer journals had entered the international field with the support of established commercial publishing houses. When the Union decided to launch the Journal, it felt that the new publication could become a useful source of scientific information without merely reduplicating existing facilities, and that the necessary scientific support could be obtained to make it viable. In accordance with the decisions and recommendations of the Union, certain goals and guidelines were given to the Journal. The new publication should be a truly international journal. As a part of a global international organization, it should attempt to make the publication and international distribution of scientific papers effective and equally convenient for scientists of all countries. The Journal was to be open to workers in all fields of cancer research. It was felt that the Journal could in this way promote exchange of information and ideas between the many and diverse special fields involved in cancer research. A particularly important task was seen in helping to bridge the gap that often exists between clinical and experimental research. Administration
It was decided in 1964 that the International Journal of Cancer would be edited in Helsinki by Dr. E. Saxen and published by the UICC in Geneva. The Editor-in-Chief should have the overall and scientific responsibility for the Journal with the decisions of the Board and the Publications ':omittee as guidelines. The Managing Editor in ' .ie Geneva Office should be responsible for linguistic and technical editing, publishing and distribution.
TEN-YEAR REPORT
Mr. F. Luder was employed as Managing Editor of all publications of the UICC in 1965. Dr. J. Saukkonen was appointed Assistant Editor at the Helsinki Office and after his resignation in 1969 was replaced by Dr. E. Saksela. In the early years the Editor-in-Chief was asked to report to the Publications Committee, and since 1969 to the Executive Commit tee. Printing and distribution
The Imprimerie Henri Studer, Geneva, has printed the Journal from its beginning. The printer is to be commended for the high quality of workmanship and punctuality that has helped in adhering strictly to the cover dates of appearance. Since January 1 , 1969 the Journal has been distributed by the UICC Geneva Office. The Journal is available in microfiches, and special air-mail subscriptions for microfiches have been offered to our overseas subscribers. The complete collection of back issues of the Journal can now also be obtained in microfiche form. General progress
When assessing the development of the Journal, attention should be paid to signs of general '' acceptance " and to the extent to which the Journal has succeeded in attaining the goals mentioned above. The wide international basis achieved by the Journal is reflected in the number of countries from which manuscripts have been submitted (Table I). Contributions have been received from over 60 countries, and the list of countries from which 10 or more papers have been submitted comprises 26 names. Contributions cover a wide variety of fields within cancer research as shown by the main titles in Table 11. No discrimination as to subject matter has been practiced-quality and soundness of the work have been the sole criteria for acceptance. However, certain changes of emphasis have occurred, obviously reflecting the main areas of active interest in cancer research. Most notable is the increase in the share of articles dealing with tumor knrnunity-from 16% in 1970 they now represent 30% of the published material. Tumor virology has maintained a steady 15-20% " market share ", and basic sciences 10-15 %. Chemical carcinogenesis has shown a downward trend from 10 to 5 % during recent years and clinical trial reports have stayed around 4%. Cancer epidemiology has also steadily covered about 5 % of our pages.
290
E. A. SAXEN TABLE I COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED, 1965-1975
Algeria . . . . . . Angola . . . . . . Argentina . . . . . Australia . . . . . Austria . . . . . . Belgium . . . . . . Brazil . . . . . . . Bulgaria . . . . . . Canada . . . . . . Chile . . . . . . . China . . . . . . . Congo . . . . . . Czechoslovakia . . . Dem. Rep. Germany Denmark . . . . . England . . . . . . Fed. Rep. Germany . Finland . . . . . . France . . . . . . Ghana . . . . . . Greece . . . . . . HongKong . . . .
. . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Hungary . . . . . Iceland . . . . . India . . . . . . Iran . . . . . . . Iraq . . . . . . . Ireland . . . . . Israel . . . . . . Italy . . . . . . . Japan . . . . . . Jordan . . . . . . Kenya . . . . . . Lebanon . . . . . Malaysia . . . . . Malta . . . . . . Mexico . . . . . Mozambique . . . Natal . . . . . . Netherlands . . . New Zealand . . . Nigeria . . . . . Norway . . . . . Papua/NewGuinea
1 1
17 46 7 22 1
4 79 1 2
. . .
1
. . . . . .
37 I1 . . . 31 . . . 283 . . . 56 . . . 36 . . . 250 3 . . . . . . 9 . . . 3
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Poland . . Portugal . . Puerto Rico Rhodesia . Rumania . . Scotland . . Senegal . . Singapore . South Africa Spain . . . Sweden . . Switzerland Tanzania . . Thailand . . Turkey . . UAR . . . Uganda . . USA . . . USSR . . . Wales . . . Yugoslavia . Zambia . .
18 2 43 2 4 3
. . . . . . . . 81 . . 52 . . 168 . . 1 . . 9 . . 4 . . 4
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
I
2 I 2 44 5 7 14
1
. . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
13 2 1 2 14 7
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 II
. . . . . . .
6
. . . . . . . I70
. . . . . . .
21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
2
4 7 . . . . 17 . . . . 864 . . . . 74 . . . . 2 . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .
. . .
. . . . . . . . . .
1
(Table 111). Printed pages have increased from 622 in 1966, to 966 in 1970 and 2,084 in 1975. The number of manuscripts received was 97 in 1966, 217 in 1970 and 461 in 1975 (Fig. 1). This pressure resulted in the decision to publish the Journa[ monthly starting in January, 1974.
The number of subscribers has increased at a brisk rate. The Journal is currently being distributed to 65 different countries. The number of pages has also continued t o rise-an annual increase of over 1 5 % has been registered during recent years TABLE I1
Editorial activity
PERCENTUAL SHARE OF PUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS DURING 1969-1975 ACCORDING TO MAIN SUBJECTS (CERTAIN MINOR TOPICS NOT INCLUDED)
Basic sciences Carcinogenesis (chemical) Tumor viruses Tumor immunity Epidemiology Clinical trials Therapy (experimental and clinical)
. . . . . . . .
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
II
15
12
10
16
17
8
9
13 21
6 17
4
15
15
5 20
5 20
9 20
18 9 4
16 5 2
27 5 8
20 5 4
30 2 2
27
26 6 5
I3
12
7
9
-
6
7
3
2
7
-
The overall quality of the published material depends largely on the objectivity and scientific integrity achieved in the refereeing system. All papers submitted have been reviewed by two or three independent referees and the decision to publish made o n the basis of their recommendations. The contribution of the Editorial Board has been decisive. The Journal has been fortunate in obtaining the cooperation of many outstanding scientists, either as members of the Editorial Board o r as additional referees. A rotation of members of the Editorial Board has continued as originally suggested by the Publications Committee in 1968. Publication time has remained short. The initial fears that the geographic separation of editorial and
TABLE 111 EDITORIAL DATA ON THE TEN-YEAR DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER (1965)
Pages printed Manuscripts received Rejection rate (%) Average publication time (months)
-
59 39
-
1966
1967
622 661 97 146 48 41
_
_
1968
875 166 42 4.6
1969
904 176 44
4.5
1970
966 217 43 4.2
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1,133 245 42
1,378 336 49
1,554 331 52
1,742 384 48
2,084
4.3
4.2
4.4
4.5
461 55 4.4
INT. J. CANCER Number 01 articles
500
Rccrircd 400
300
200
100
FIGURE1 Number of articles received and accepted in 1966-1975.
production facilities might cause delays or confusion, were not substantiated. There have been no delays due to such factors. In the majority of cases the referees’ opinions were received and the authors notified of acceptance or rejection within 4-5 weeks. The average publication time from receiving the manuscript to its appearance has been between 4 and 5 months, which is among the shortest among journals utilizing pre-review of the submitted material. The Editorial Office has continued to inform reviewers of the final decision regarding the paper and to provide each referee with copies of the other referee’s anonymous opinion. This practise seems to have met with general approval.
10-YEAR REPORT
291
The rejection rate has been relatively high, varying around 50 % (Table 111). Very few papers have been accepted for publication without alterations. No papers have been rejected because of deficiencies of a linguistic or a purely technical nature, provided the scientific findings were judged worth publishing by the referees. Lists of contents of other cancer journals have been printed since 1975. The printed word will continue to be the main form of scientific communication in the foreseeable future. The basic principles laid down for the International Journal of Cancer at its launching have shown their strength in the accomplishments so far achieved and they may have to be adjusted to meet the changing demands of the outside world. Publication costs will rise and publishing the increasing volume of reports on cancer research becomes exponentially more expensive. Selectivity, with its obvious dangers, must be practiced to an even larger extent resulting in higher rejection rates and possibly, but not inevitably, in a narrower scope of the Journal. No substitute is in sight for an efficient and independent refereeing system in achieving this. In conclusion, the International Journal of Cancer holds a position of prestige among the leading publications in the field of cancer research. This has been possible thanks to the effective work of our Assistant Editor, the Managing Editor and our excellent printer, not forgetting our efficient and loyal secretaries. Special thanks are due to the members of our Editorial Board and referees who have done outstanding work in critically evaluating and improving the manuscripts. I trust in the continuing support and encouragement of all those concerned and look forward to a bright future for the International Journal of Cancer. Helsinki, January 29, 1976
E. A. Saxen Editor-in-Chief
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER-A OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF General background
The International Journal of Cancer was launched in 1965 after thorough discussion concerning the need for an international cancer journal. This was most pertinent in view of the rapid proliferation of scientific journals in general. Uncertainty was also expressed as to whether a new multi-disciplinary publication would be able to attract sufficient support among scientists at a time when the general trend seemed to be towards more specialized journals. The Acta Un. int. Cancr., which ceased publication in 1964, had previously been the only internationally based cancer journal. However, some of the major national periodicals were-and arealso major international channels of publication. It was also known that while the UICC was considering the matter, two other cancer journals had entered the international field with the support of established commercial publishing houses. When the Union decided to launch the Journal, it felt that the new publication could become a useful source of scientific information without merely reduplicating existing facilities, and that the necessary scientific support could be obtained to make it viable. In accordance with the decisions and recommendations of the Union, certain goals and guidelines were given to the Journal. The new publication should be a truly international journal. As a part of a global international organization, it should attempt to make the publication and international distribution of scientific papers effective and equally convenient for scientists of all countries. The Journal was to be open to workers in all fields of cancer research. It was felt that the Journal could in this way promote exchange of information and ideas between the many and diverse special fields involved in cancer research. A particularly important task was seen in helping to bridge the gap that often exists between clinical and experimental research. Administration
It was decided in 1964 that the International Journal of Cancer would be edited in Helsinki by Dr. E. Saxen and published by the UICC in Geneva. The Editor-in-Chief should have the overall and scientific responsibility for the Journal with the decisions of the Board and the Publications ':omittee as guidelines. The Managing Editor in ' .ie Geneva Office should be responsible for linguistic and technical editing, publishing and distribution.
TEN-YEAR REPORT
Mr. F. Luder was employed as Managing Editor of all publications of the UICC in 1965. Dr. J. Saukkonen was appointed Assistant Editor at the Helsinki Office and after his resignation in 1969 was replaced by Dr. E. Saksela. In the early years the Editor-in-Chief was asked to report to the Publications Committee, and since 1969 to the Executive Commit tee. Printing and distribution
The Imprimerie Henri Studer, Geneva, has printed the Journal from its beginning. The printer is to be commended for the high quality of workmanship and punctuality that has helped in adhering strictly to the cover dates of appearance. Since January 1 , 1969 the Journal has been distributed by the UICC Geneva Office. The Journal is available in microfiches, and special air-mail subscriptions for microfiches have been offered to our overseas subscribers. The complete collection of back issues of the Journal can now also be obtained in microfiche form. General progress
When assessing the development of the Journal, attention should be paid to signs of general '' acceptance " and to the extent to which the Journal has succeeded in attaining the goals mentioned above. The wide international basis achieved by the Journal is reflected in the number of countries from which manuscripts have been submitted (Table I). Contributions have been received from over 60 countries, and the list of countries from which 10 or more papers have been submitted comprises 26 names. Contributions cover a wide variety of fields within cancer research as shown by the main titles in Table 11. No discrimination as to subject matter has been practiced-quality and soundness of the work have been the sole criteria for acceptance. However, certain changes of emphasis have occurred, obviously reflecting the main areas of active interest in cancer research. Most notable is the increase in the share of articles dealing with tumor knrnunity-from 16% in 1970 they now represent 30% of the published material. Tumor virology has maintained a steady 15-20% " market share ", and basic sciences 10-15 %. Chemical carcinogenesis has shown a downward trend from 10 to 5 % during recent years and clinical trial reports have stayed around 4%. Cancer epidemiology has also steadily covered about 5 % of our pages.
290
E. A. SAXEN TABLE I COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED, 1965-1975
Algeria . . . . . . Angola . . . . . . Argentina . . . . . Australia . . . . . Austria . . . . . . Belgium . . . . . . Brazil . . . . . . . Bulgaria . . . . . . Canada . . . . . . Chile . . . . . . . China . . . . . . . Congo . . . . . . Czechoslovakia . . . Dem. Rep. Germany Denmark . . . . . England . . . . . . Fed. Rep. Germany . Finland . . . . . . France . . . . . . Ghana . . . . . . Greece . . . . . . HongKong . . . .
. . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Hungary . . . . . Iceland . . . . . India . . . . . . Iran . . . . . . . Iraq . . . . . . . Ireland . . . . . Israel . . . . . . Italy . . . . . . . Japan . . . . . . Jordan . . . . . . Kenya . . . . . . Lebanon . . . . . Malaysia . . . . . Malta . . . . . . Mexico . . . . . Mozambique . . . Natal . . . . . . Netherlands . . . New Zealand . . . Nigeria . . . . . Norway . . . . . Papua/NewGuinea
1 1
17 46 7 22 1
4 79 1 2
. . .
1
. . . . . .
37 I1 . . . 31 . . . 283 . . . 56 . . . 36 . . . 250 3 . . . . . . 9 . . . 3
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Poland . . Portugal . . Puerto Rico Rhodesia . Rumania . . Scotland . . Senegal . . Singapore . South Africa Spain . . . Sweden . . Switzerland Tanzania . . Thailand . . Turkey . . UAR . . . Uganda . . USA . . . USSR . . . Wales . . . Yugoslavia . Zambia . .
18 2 43 2 4 3
. . . . . . . . 81 . . 52 . . 168 . . 1 . . 9 . . 4 . . 4
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
I
2 I 2 44 5 7 14
1
. . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
13 2 1 2 14 7
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 II
. . . . . . .
6
. . . . . . . I70
. . . . . . .
21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
2
4 7 . . . . 17 . . . . 864 . . . . 74 . . . . 2 . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .
. . .
. . . . . . . . . .
1
(Table 111). Printed pages have increased from 622 in 1966, to 966 in 1970 and 2,084 in 1975. The number of manuscripts received was 97 in 1966, 217 in 1970 and 461 in 1975 (Fig. 1). This pressure resulted in the decision to publish the Journa[ monthly starting in January, 1974.
The number of subscribers has increased at a brisk rate. The Journal is currently being distributed to 65 different countries. The number of pages has also continued t o rise-an annual increase of over 1 5 % has been registered during recent years TABLE I1
Editorial activity
PERCENTUAL SHARE OF PUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS DURING 1969-1975 ACCORDING TO MAIN SUBJECTS (CERTAIN MINOR TOPICS NOT INCLUDED)
Basic sciences Carcinogenesis (chemical) Tumor viruses Tumor immunity Epidemiology Clinical trials Therapy (experimental and clinical)
. . . . . . . .
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
II
15
12
10
16
17
8
9
13 21
6 17
4
15
15
5 20
5 20
9 20
18 9 4
16 5 2
27 5 8
20 5 4
30 2 2
27
26 6 5
I3
12
7
9
-
6
7
3
2
7
-
The overall quality of the published material depends largely on the objectivity and scientific integrity achieved in the refereeing system. All papers submitted have been reviewed by two or three independent referees and the decision to publish made o n the basis of their recommendations. The contribution of the Editorial Board has been decisive. The Journal has been fortunate in obtaining the cooperation of many outstanding scientists, either as members of the Editorial Board o r as additional referees. A rotation of members of the Editorial Board has continued as originally suggested by the Publications Committee in 1968. Publication time has remained short. The initial fears that the geographic separation of editorial and
TABLE 111 EDITORIAL DATA ON THE TEN-YEAR DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER (1965)
Pages printed Manuscripts received Rejection rate (%) Average publication time (months)
-
59 39
-
1966
1967
622 661 97 146 48 41
_
_
1968
875 166 42 4.6
1969
904 176 44
4.5
1970
966 217 43 4.2
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1,133 245 42
1,378 336 49
1,554 331 52
1,742 384 48
2,084
4.3
4.2
4.4
4.5
461 55 4.4
INT. J. CANCER Number 01 articles
500
Rccrircd 400
300
200
100
FIGURE1 Number of articles received and accepted in 1966-1975.
production facilities might cause delays or confusion, were not substantiated. There have been no delays due to such factors. In the majority of cases the referees’ opinions were received and the authors notified of acceptance or rejection within 4-5 weeks. The average publication time from receiving the manuscript to its appearance has been between 4 and 5 months, which is among the shortest among journals utilizing pre-review of the submitted material. The Editorial Office has continued to inform reviewers of the final decision regarding the paper and to provide each referee with copies of the other referee’s anonymous opinion. This practise seems to have met with general approval.
10-YEAR REPORT
291
The rejection rate has been relatively high, varying around 50 % (Table 111). Very few papers have been accepted for publication without alterations. No papers have been rejected because of deficiencies of a linguistic or a purely technical nature, provided the scientific findings were judged worth publishing by the referees. Lists of contents of other cancer journals have been printed since 1975. The printed word will continue to be the main form of scientific communication in the foreseeable future. The basic principles laid down for the International Journal of Cancer at its launching have shown their strength in the accomplishments so far achieved and they may have to be adjusted to meet the changing demands of the outside world. Publication costs will rise and publishing the increasing volume of reports on cancer research becomes exponentially more expensive. Selectivity, with its obvious dangers, must be practiced to an even larger extent resulting in higher rejection rates and possibly, but not inevitably, in a narrower scope of the Journal. No substitute is in sight for an efficient and independent refereeing system in achieving this. In conclusion, the International Journal of Cancer holds a position of prestige among the leading publications in the field of cancer research. This has been possible thanks to the effective work of our Assistant Editor, the Managing Editor and our excellent printer, not forgetting our efficient and loyal secretaries. Special thanks are due to the members of our Editorial Board and referees who have done outstanding work in critically evaluating and improving the manuscripts. I trust in the continuing support and encouragement of all those concerned and look forward to a bright future for the International Journal of Cancer. Helsinki, January 29, 1976
E. A. Saxen Editor-in-Chief
