Aims & Scope
Journal of Brain and Spinal Cancer (JBSC) publishes research on the molecular mechanisms, genetic alterations, and pathophysiological processes underlying central nervous system malignancies, with emphasis on mechanistic understanding along with the clinical management.
Core Research Domains
Molecular Pathogenesis
- Genetic mutations and chromosomal aberrations in glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma
- Epigenetic modifications driving CNS tumor initiation and progression
- Oncogenic signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT, MAPK, Wnt, Hedgehog)
- Tumor suppressor gene inactivation mechanisms
- Molecular classification systems based on genomic profiles
- Clonal evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity
"Identification of novel driver mutations in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma through whole-exome sequencing and functional validation in patient-derived xenograft models."
Cellular & Microenvironmental Mechanisms
- Cancer stem cell biology and self-renewal mechanisms
- Tumor-stromal interactions and extracellular matrix remodeling
- Immune cell infiltration patterns and immunosuppressive mechanisms
- Angiogenesis pathways and vascular niche dynamics
- Metabolic reprogramming in CNS malignancies
- Cell death mechanisms (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis)
"Mechanistic analysis of glioma-associated macrophage polarization through single-cell RNA sequencing and functional assays demonstrating M2 phenotype promotion."
Biomarker Discovery & Validation
- Molecular biomarkers for tumor classification and stratification
- Circulating biomarkers (ctDNA, exosomes, metabolites) and their biological significance
- Proteomic and metabolomic signatures in CNS tumors
- Imaging biomarkers reflecting underlying molecular processes
- Predictive biomarkers for therapeutic response mechanisms
- Prognostic molecular signatures and their biological basis
"Discovery and mechanistic validation of a 12-gene signature predicting temozolomide resistance through DNA repair pathway analysis in glioblastoma cell lines."
Experimental Models & Methodologies
- Patient-derived xenograft and organoid models for mechanistic studies
- Genetically engineered mouse models of CNS malignancies
- 3D culture systems and tumor-on-chip platforms
- Advanced imaging techniques for molecular pathway visualization
- Multi-omics integration approaches for pathway discovery
- CRISPR/Cas9 screens for functional gene identification
"Development of a glioblastoma organoid model recapitulating tumor heterogeneity for mechanistic studies of invasion pathways and drug resistance mechanisms."
Secondary Focus Areas
Therapeutic Target Discovery
Identification and mechanistic validation of novel molecular targets, including druggable pathways, synthetic lethality interactions, and targetable dependencies in CNS tumors.
Drug Resistance Mechanisms
Molecular basis of resistance to targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation, including adaptive signaling, metabolic rewiring, and phenotypic plasticity.
Metastatic Mechanisms
Molecular pathways governing leptomeningeal dissemination, spinal metastases, and mechanisms of CNS colonization by systemic cancers.
Epidemiological Mechanisms
Genetic susceptibility factors, hereditary cancer syndromes (Li-Fraumeni, neurofibromatosis), and gene-environment interactions underlying CNS tumor risk.
Radiation Biology
Molecular mechanisms of radiation response, DNA damage repair pathways, and radiation-induced microenvironmental changes in CNS tumors.
Immunological Mechanisms
Tumor immunology, immune evasion strategies, checkpoint molecule expression, and mechanisms underlying immunotherapy resistance in CNS malignancies.
Emerging Research Areas
Note: Manuscripts in these areas undergo additional editorial review to ensure strong mechanistic focus and alignment with journal scope.
Article Types & Priorities
Priority 1: Fast-Track Review Expedited
Priority 2: Standard Review Standard
Rarely Considered Limited
Note: These article types are only considered when they provide substantial mechanistic insights or methodological innovations.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- ARRIVE 2.0 for animal studies
- MIQE for qPCR experiments
- REMARK for biomarker studies
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- STROBE for observational studies
Data Requirements
- Raw data deposition in public repositories
- Omics data in GEO, ArrayExpress, or SRA
- Protein structures in PDB
- Statistical analysis code availability
- Reproducibility documentation
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/Ethics committee approval for human samples
- IACUC approval for animal studies
- Informed consent documentation
- Biosafety and biosecurity compliance
- Conflict of interest disclosure
Publication Policies
- Preprints accepted (bioRxiv, medRxiv)
- Registered reports encouraged
- Negative results considered
- Replication studies welcomed
- Open peer review option available
Publication Metrics
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