Dear Colleagues and Members of the Global GI Oncology Community,
It is with profound enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the inaugural issue of the International Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research (IJGCR). This momentous launch represents not merely the establishment of another academic journal, but rather the crystallization of a collective vision-a vision shared by clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide who are committed to advancing the science and practice of GI oncology.
The Imperative for a Dedicated Platform
The landscape of GI cancer research has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. GI malignancies, collectively accounting for approximately one in four of all cancer cases and one in three cancer deaths globally, present an unprecedented challenge to the medical community. Yet, simultaneously, they offer unprecedented opportunities for innovation and discovery. The convergence of molecular diagnostics, precision medicine, immunotherapy, and multidisciplinary care has fundamentally altered our approach to these complex diseases.
Despite this scientific revolution, the field of GI oncology has lacked a dedicated, high-impact international journal specifically designed to serve as the primary venue for publishing cutting-edge research, clinical innovations, and translational discoveries in this domain. While excellent general oncology and specialty journals exist, they often cannot provide the focused editorial attention and specialized peer-review expertise that GI cancer research deserves. The IJGCR has been created to fill this critical gap.
Our Mission and Vision
The mission of IJGCR is to serve as the premier international platform for the dissemination of original research, clinical investigations, translational studies, and evidence-based reviews that advance our understanding and management of GI cancers. We are committed to publishing work of the highest scientific quality, rigorously peer-reviewed by experts in the field, and immediately applicable to clinical practice and future research directions.
Our vision extends beyond traditional academic publishing. IJGCR aspires to be a catalyst for international collaboration, fostering connections among researchers, clinicians, and institutions across continents. We recognize that the most significant advances in GI oncology emerge from multidisciplinary collaboration-bringing together medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists, and basic science researchers. IJGCR will actively promote and facilitate such collaboration through our editorial policies and special initiatives.
Scope and Content
The journal will encompass the full spectrum of GI oncology, including but not limited to:
Upper GI Malignancies: Esophageal, gastric, and gastroesophageal junction cancers, with emphasis on novel therapeutic strategies, biomarker-driven approaches, and multidisciplinary management.
Colorectal Cancer: From early detection and prevention through advanced metastatic disease, including precision oncology approaches, surgical innovations, and organ-preserving strategies.
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancers: Hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with particular focus on emerging systemic therapies, regional treatment modalities, and transplantation strategies.
Rare GI Malignancies: GI stromal tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, GI lymphomas, and other uncommon entities where targeted therapy has revolutionized outcomes.
Translational Research: Molecular profiling, genomic analysis, biomarker discovery, and mechanistic studies that illuminate the biology of GI cancers and identify new therapeutic targets.
Supportive Care and Quality of Life: Palliative medicine, management of treatment-related toxicities, nutritional support, psycho-oncology, and strategies to optimize patient outcomes and quality of life.
Epidemiology and Prevention: Population-based studies, screening strategies, risk stratification, and public health approaches to reducing the burden of GI cancers globally.
Health Services Research: Health economics, healthcare delivery models, access to care, and implementation science relevant to GI oncology
Editorial Standards and Peer-review
IJGCR is committed to the highest standards of scientific integrity and editorial excellence. All submitted manuscripts will undergo rigorous double-blind peer-review by experts in relevant subspecialties. Our editorial board comprises internationally recognized leaders in GI oncology, representing diverse geographic regions, clinical disciplines, and research expertise. This multidisciplinary composition ensures that manuscripts are evaluated not only for scientific merit but also for clinical relevance and applicability to global practice.
We adhere strictly to the principles of research ethics, including the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors guidelines. We are committed to transparency in reporting, reproducibility of findings, and the responsible communication of research results. IJGCR will maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and will not tolerate plagiarism, data fabrication, or other forms of scientific misconduct.
Global Accessibility and Impact
From its inception, IJGCR has been designed as a truly international journal. We welcome submissions from researchers and clinicians worldwide, recognizing that important advances in GI oncology emerge from institutions and healthcare systems across all continents. To ensure maximum global accessibility, IJGCR will be published in English and will be indexed in major international databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and other leading indexing services. All articles will be assigned Digital Object Identifiers to ensure permanent accessibility and accurate citation.
We are deeply committed to open science principles. IJGCR will employ an open-access model, ensuring that research findings are freely available to the global scientific community, healthcare professionals, and patients. This commitment reflects our belief that knowledge generated through scientific research should be a public good, particularly when it has the potential to improve health outcomes and save lives.
The Role of Authors, Reviewers, and Readers
The success of IJGCR will depend fundamentally on the contributions of our community. We invite researchers and clinicians to submit their best work-original investigations, clinical case reports, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and thoughtprovoking commentaries that advance the field. We particularly encourage submissions from early-career researchers and from institutions in low- and middle-income countries, where GI cancer burden is often highest yet research infrastructure may be limited.
We also call upon the scientific community to serve as peer-reviewers. The peer-review process is the cornerstone of scientific publishing, and we depend upon the generosity and expertise of colleagues who volunteer their time to evaluate manuscripts. Peer-review is not merely a gatekeeping function; it is an opportunity to mentor junior researchers, to ensure scientific rigor, and to improve the quality of published work.
Finally, we invite readers to engage critically with the content published in IJGCR. Science advances through dialogue, debate, and the rigorous examination of evidence. We welcome letters to the editor, commentaries, and responses that extend the discussion initiated by published articles.
Collaboration with the International GI Cancers Conference (IGICC)
IJGCR is intimately connected with the IGICC, which has served as the premier annual gathering for GI oncology professionals since 2010. The journal will serve as an official publication venue for selected presentations and research from IGICC, and we anticipate that many of the most significant advances discussed at IGICC will find their way into the pages of IJGCR. This synergy between conference and journal will create a dynamic ecosystem for scientific exchange and knowledge dissemination.
Challenges and Opportunities
The field of GI oncology faces significant challenges. GI cancers remain among the most lethal malignancies, with 5-year survival rates for many subtypes remaining disappointingly low. Geographic disparities in cancer incidence, access to treatment, and research capacity remain profound. Many patients with GI cancers present at advanced stages, limiting the potential for curative treatment. Drug resistance and treatment-related toxicities continue to limit the efficacy of our therapeutic arsenal.
Yet these challenges also present extraordinary opportunities. The rapid pace of scientific discovery-in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, precision medicine, and surgical innovation-offers genuine hope for improved outcomes. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, liquid biopsy, and advanced imaging promise to revolutionize early detection and treatment planning. The increasing recognition of the importance of multidisciplinary care, patient-centered outcomes, and health equity creates opportunities to optimize care delivery and improve quality of life for patients with GI cancers.
A Call to Action
As we launch IJGCR, I extend a heartfelt invitation to the global GI oncology community. Whether you are a basic scientist investigating the molecular biology of GI cancers, a clinical researcher conducting therapeutic trials, a practicing oncologist seeking to advance patient care, or a patient advocate working to improve outcomes for those affected by these diseases, IJGCR is your journal. This is a platform for your work, your ideas, and your voice.
I am confident that IJGCR will become an indispensable resource for the GI oncology community-a journal where the most important research is published, where rigorous science meets clinical relevance, and where the collective wisdom of the global community is brought to bear on the challenge of conquering GI cancers.
-Acknowledgments
The launch of IJGCR would not have been possible without the dedication and support of many individuals and institutions. I wish to express my gratitude to the members of the editorial board, who have committed their time and expertise to ensuring the highest standards of scientific excellence. I am deeply grateful to Galenos Publishing House, whose commitment to academic publishing and whose innovative publishing platforms have made this journal possible. I also wish to acknowledge the countless researchers, clinicians, and patients whose work and experiences have inspired the creation of this journal.
Looking Forward
As we embark on this exciting journey, I am filled with optimism about the future of GI oncology. The advances we have witnessed in recent years, and those yet to come, offer genuine hope that we can improve outcomes for patients with these devastating diseases. IJGCR will serve as a beacon, illuminating the path forward and connecting the global community of researchers and clinicians who are dedicated to this mission.
I invite you to visit the journal website at https://gicancerjournal.com/ to learn more about our editorial policies, submission guidelines, and the full editorial board. I encourage you to submit your work, to serve as a peer-reviewer, and to engage as a reader and contributor to this exciting new venture in scientific publishing.
Together, we will advance the science and practice of GI oncology and ultimately, improve the lives of patients affected by these diseases.
With warm regards and best wishes for the success of IJGCR,
Editor-in-Chief: Prof., MD. Şuayib Yalçın
Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Türkiye
About the Editor-in-Chief
Prof., MD. Şuayib Yalçın is the Director of the Hacettepe University Cancer Institute and a leading figure in GI oncology in Türkiye and internationally. He has served as the Chairman of the IGICC and is recognized for his contributions to advancing multidisciplinary cancer care and research. Prof., Yalçın has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is a frequent speaker at international conferences on topics related to GI malignancies and precision oncology.
