In this second installment of the Society for Neuro-Oncology’s series of editorials to commemorate our 25th anniversary, we focus on one of the most successful initiatives from our first quarter-century, SNO’s flagship journal, Neuro-Oncology, a visionary creation of Dr. Darell Bigner, the founding Editor-in-Chief.
Launching any new journal is a costly proposition, and publication of Neuro-Oncology was made possible only through the support of Duke University Press and a generous $250,000 grant from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. With the initial funding in place, an Editorial Board was established, with representation of all neuro-oncology disciplines and all areas of the world. In its inaugural year, 60 manuscripts were received and 31 were accepted for publication. The first issue was published in January 1999 (Fig. 1). In the subsequent seven years, Dr. Bigner made inestimable effort to the success of Neuro-Oncology, leading it to an impact factor of 4.75 and putting it on par with some of the world’s leading oncology and neurology titles. A key factor in the success was the Japan Society of Neuro-Oncology and the European Society of Neuro-Oncology adopting Neuro-Oncology as their official journal.
Fig. 1.
Cover of the first issue of Neuro-Oncology from January, 1999.
In 2006, Dr. W.K. Alfred Yung assumed the helm of Neuro-Oncology and implemented several new initiatives to further improve the journal, including the introduction of special-topic issues and review articles from invited prominent authorities. The look of the journal was also updated with a vibrant cover and enhanced graphics. Under Dr. Yung’s guidance, the publication increased in frequency and by 2008, the journal went from four to six issues per year. By 2010, the journal assumed an even bolder agenda, doubling its frequency to monthly publication through its new affiliation with Oxford University Press (OUP), the world’s largest university press, and boasting an impact factor of 6.776.
Dr. Patrick Y. Wen became the journal’s third Editor-in-Chief in 2014. In addition to expanding the number of reviews and editorials, under Dr. Wen’s leadership, the journal began publishing more supplements. These included abstracts from major neuro-oncology meetings, epidemiology of brain tumors from CBTRUS and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, summaries of imaging and clinical outcomes assessment, endpoint workshops with the Food and Drug Administration, and specific therapeutic strategies such as targeting EGFR, immunotherapies, and intratumoral therapies. One of the most visible changes to Neuro-Oncology came in 2017 with the introduction of a new internal layout and new cover design, developed to reflect the ever-increasing quality of the Journal’s content. During Dr. Wen’s tenure the impact factor increased to 10.091.
In January 2018, Dr. Wen moved into his new role for SNO as President of the Society, and the baton was passed to Dr. Kenneth Aldape, the current Editor-in-Chief. Today, Neuro-Oncology continues to exceed all expectations. The editorial strategy continuously followed by Drs. Bigner, Yung, Wen, and Aldape focuses on publishing only the highest-quality and robust work, rigorously peer-reviewed, that has correspondingly propelled the field forward and has led to a consequent increase in the Journal’s impact factor, as noted in the accompanying graph (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2.
Rise in the Impact Factor of Neuro-Oncology
SNO recognizes the steadfast support and contributions of Managing Editor, Elizabeth Martinson, and Senior Publisher, Phil Bishop, from OUP. The journal has also benefited from the extensive expertise of its Associate Editors, the Editorial Board members, and the meticulous efforts of its reviewers, which has helped move the journal to its current status as a high-impact oncology journal. Thanks to these collective efforts of the editorial leadership, the members of SNO and the broader neuro-oncology community, Neuro-Oncology is well positioned to maintain its rank as the seminal publication in the field.