Journal of Brain and Spinal Cancer
Advancing the molecular and mechanistic understanding of central nervous system malignancies through rigorous peer-reviewed pathophysiology research
Core Mechanistic Domains
JBSC prioritizes research that clarifies how CNS cancers work at the molecular and cellular level, not how they are treated clinically. Our editorial scope encompasses:
- Tumor Initiation Mechanisms: Genetic mutations, chromosomal aberrations, oncogene activation, tumor suppressor loss
- Cellular Signaling Pathways: RTK/RAS/PI3K, p53, mTOR, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog signaling
- Epigenetic Dysregulation: DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNA regulation
- Tumor Microenvironment: Glia-tumor interactions, immune cell infiltration, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling
Experimental & Translational Models
We publish studies utilizing diverse experimental systems that model CNS cancer pathophysiology:
- In Vitro Models: Primary cell cultures, organoid systems, 3D tumor spheroids, co-culture platforms
- Animal Models: Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), xenograft models, orthotopic implantation, PDX models
- Ex Vivo Systems: Tumor slice cultures, precision-cut tissue sections, patient-derived explants
- Computational Models: Systems biology approaches, network analysis, mechanistic simulations
Scope Clarity: JBSC focuses exclusively on disease mechanisms and pathophysiology. We also publish clinical management protocols, treatment guidelines, patient outcome studies, or therapy efficacy trials.
Molecular Genetics
IDH mutations, MGMT promoter methylation, 1p/19q codeletion, TERT promoter alterations, EGFR amplification, TP53 mutations
Cell Cycle Dysregulation
CDK pathway alterations, checkpoint dysfunction, mitotic catastrophe, senescence bypass, replication stress responses
Metabolic Reprogramming
Warburg effect, glutamine addiction, lipid metabolism alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolite profiling
Invasion & Migration
Matrix metalloproteinases, cell adhesion molecules, cytoskeletal dynamics, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, perivascular invasion
Angiogenesis Pathways
VEGF signaling, hypoxia-inducible factors, endothelial cell recruitment, vascular mimicry, pericyte interactions
Biomarker Discovery
Circulating tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, protein signatures, metabolomic markers, radiogenomic correlations
Stem Cell Biology
Cancer stem cell markers, self-renewal mechanisms, differentiation blockade, niche interactions, hierarchical organization
Immune Evasion
Immune checkpoint expression, myeloid cell recruitment, T cell exclusion, antigen presentation defects, immunosuppressive factors
DNA Damage Response
Repair pathway deficiencies, genomic instability, replication fork dynamics, telomere maintenance, mutagenesis mechanisms
All manuscripts undergo comprehensive evaluation by experts in molecular oncology, neurobiology, and pathophysiology. Our review process emphasizes:
- Mechanistic Depth: Reviewers assess whether findings advance understanding of disease biology at the molecular or cellular level
- Experimental Rigor: Evaluation of model systems, controls, replication, statistical approaches, and reproducibility
- Novelty Assessment: Verification that work contributes new mechanistic insights rather than confirmatory observations
- Data Quality: Scrutiny of methodology, data presentation, and interpretation to ensure scientific validity
- Scope Alignment: Confirmation that research focuses on pathophysiology rather than clinical practice or patient management
Original Research Articles
Original investigations presenting novel mechanistic findings in CNS cancer pathophysiology. Must include hypothesis-driven experimental design, appropriate controls, statistical validation, and clear demonstration of molecular or cellular insights.
Primary Research Articles
Original studies reporting new empirical findings on brain and spinal cancer mechanisms, with robust experimental design and data analysis.
Mechanistic Reviews
Comprehensive syntheses of current knowledge regarding specific pathophysiological processes in brain and spinal cancers. Must integrate molecular, cellular, and systems-level perspectives.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Critical assessments of existing literature using systematic methods to identify, select, and synthesize relevant research on CNS tumor mechanisms.
Review Articles & Literature Reviews
Authoritative overviews of established areas of CNS cancer research, summarizing current understanding and identifying key knowledge gaps.
Methods & Protocols
Detailed descriptions of experimental procedures and methodological workflows for studying CNS tumor biology.
Methodological Innovations
Papers describing new techniques, models, or analytical approaches for studying CNS tumor biology. Should provide validation data and demonstrate advantages over existing methods.
Biomarker Studies
Research identifying and validating molecular markers of disease state, progression, or biological behavior. Should include mechanistic rationale and experimental verification.
Short Communications
Concise reports of significant preliminary findings that warrant rapid dissemination.
Rapid Communications
Urgent publication of time-sensitive discoveries with high impact potential in CNS cancer research.
Data Notes
Publications describing datasets generated from CNS cancer research, focusing on data quality, availability, and reuse potential.
Technical Notes
Reports on technical improvements, optimizations, or troubleshooting in experimental methods related to brain and spinal cancer studies.
Clinical Case Reports
Detailed descriptions of individual patient cases that reveal novel pathophysiological insights into CNS malignancies.
Clinical Trial Reports
Reports of clinical trials with emphasis on mechanistic endpoints, biomarker correlations, and biological insights gained.
Perspectives
Forward-looking articles discussing emerging trends, challenges, and future directions in CNS cancer research.
Opinion Pieces
Authoritative viewpoints on current issues, controversies, or developments in the field of brain and spinal cancer.
Commentaries
Short articles providing expert analysis and context for recently published research or current topics in the field.
Letters to the Editor
Brief communications commenting on previously published articles or presenting timely observations relevant to the journal's scope.
Editorials
Articles written by editorial board members on topics of special importance or interest to the CNS cancer research community.
Mini-Reviews
Concise, focused reviews on specific topics within brain and spinal cancer pathophysiology.
Book Reviews
Critical evaluations of recently published books relevant to neuro-oncology, cancer biology, or CNS pathophysiology.
Conference Proceedings
Selected papers from scientific conferences focused on brain and spinal cancer research, curated to maintain high standards.
Theses
Summarized versions of outstanding doctoral dissertations that make significant contributions to CNS cancer mechanistic understanding.
JBSC is guided by an international editorial board comprising molecular oncologists, neuroscientists, geneticists, and pathophysiology specialists. Our editors are committed to maintaining rigorous scientific standards while ensuring timely publication of high-quality mechanistic research.
Editorial Board
Expert reviewers from leading research institutions worldwide evaluate manuscripts for mechanistic significance, experimental rigor, and contribution to CNS cancer biology understanding.
Institutional Partnerships
Collaborative relationships with Tata Memorial Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Milano Bicocca, and other research centers ensure global perspectives in peer review.
- Rapid Publication: Streamlined editorial workflow with decisions typically within 21 days and acceptance to publication in 5 days
- Global Visibility: Indexed in Google Scholar and specialized databases ensuring broad discoverability
- Open Access: Creative Commons licensing enables unrestricted sharing and citation
- No Article Length Restrictions: Comprehensive data presentation without arbitrary page limits
- Supplementary Materials: Support for extensive supplementary data, videos, and protocols
- Expert Editorial Support: Guidance throughout submission and revision processes
Submit Your Pathophysiology Research
Join the global community of researchers advancing mechanistic understanding of brain and spinal cancer. JBSC welcomes submissions that illuminate the molecular foundations of CNS malignancies. With a submission-to-publication timeline of just 45 days on average, we ensure rapid dissemination of your findings.
Contact Information: For inquiries regarding scope, submission requirements, or editorial policies, contact the JBSC editorial office at [email protected]. We respond to all queries within 48 hours.
