BMC Highlights for World Cancer Day
Published in Cancer
Cancer is a devastating disease where cells accumulate genetic mutations and become able to proliferate uncontrollably and abnormally. As the groups of abnormal cells grow, they consume copious amounts of resources and can alter their surroundings for their benefit through complicated signalling processes. A highly adaptive disease that can occur in any tissue, it is difficult to treat.
Cancer in hominins dates back 1.7 million years. Discovered by archaeologists was an osteosarcoma on a fossilised toe. Since then, the devastating disease has been studied by scholars, artists and medical professionals throughout the ages. Many treatments have been proposed and tried, from cauterisation to application of arsenic paste, while surgery remained a risky option without proper antiseptic conditions and anaesthesia. It is an ever-evolving disease, highly adaptive and costly to treat. In the current age, scientists are still discovering new aspects of cancer, establishing new pathways, causes and proposing new treatment targets.
In recognition of World Cancer Day in February, we highlight interesting manuscripts or collection topics related to cancer. World Cancer Day was named to raise awareness of the disease, as well as encourage discussion of its pathogenesis, epidemiology, treatment options and field advancements. With an estimated 20 million new cases worldwide each year and 48% mortality, cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat.
Highlighted collection topics are soon to open in the journals BMC Pulmonary Medicine “Cancer and the lung” and BMC Cardiovascular Disorders “Cancer and cardiovascular disorders”. These collections seek manuscripts relating to molecular mechanisms, advances in imaging and therapeutic techniques, complications of disease or chemotherapy, and management.
In BMC Oral Health edited by Alex Goodridge, the collection “Oral complications from cancer treatment” is open for submissions until 5th June 2025, exploring complications resulting from cancer treatments, including mucositis, xerostomia, and osteonecrosis., inviting manuscripts on the mechanisms, management strategies, and innovative therapies. “Early detection and prevention of oral cancer” is now closed and published, with an interesting array of manuscripts on dental, medical, and epidemiological research that will assist clinicians and decision-makers in identifying effective strategies to prevent oral cancer, as well as detecting the disease in at-risk populations.
In BMC Gastroenterology edited by Harshal Dhondge, two collections “GI cancer risk assessment” (open until 21st March 2025) and “Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer” (open until 7th May 2025) are currently open for submissions. “GI cancer risk assessment” invites submissions relating to molecular pathways, imaging modalities, autoimmune and gallstone pancreatitis management, pancreatic cancer biomarkers, microbiota and pancreatic diseases, and therapeutic approaches for pancreatic insufficiency and alcohol-induced pancreatitis. “Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer” inviting submissions that explore novel approaches to risk assessment, screening, and surveillance, with the aim of advancing personalized strategies for early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
There have also been interesting highlighted manuscripts published across the BMC series. In BMC Pediatrics edited by Jieying Zhou, a study investigates how peri-interventional reduction of pain, anxiety and distress using virtual reality can help children with cancer cope with stressful and painful interventions.
In BMC Oral Health edited by Alex Goodridge, studies explore how oral rinses containing the tumorigenic biomarker CD44 can help high-risk individuals such as smokers detect cancer early. A differently-focused study explores betel nut chewing dependence and the associated risks and socioeconomic factors that drive it.
In BMC Genomics edited by Sophie Nicod, a new app called Sherlock-Genome has been developed for the effective integrative analysis of whole genome sequencing studies and to drive discovery and research advancements. Another seeks to find a good reference gene in hypoxia-driven breast cancer progression using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Finally, in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making and BMC Medical Research Methodology edited by Piero Lo Monaco, one study explores the importance of tailoring medical decision making processes and individual patient preferences to enhance cancer patient care. A different paper reviews artificial intelligence models by applying them to longitudinal data for the prediction of cancer.
Xiulin joined Springer Nature as an Associate Editor in 2024. She holds a PhD in Biology from the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany and a master’s degree in Clinical Neuroscience from the Institute of Neurology at University College London (UCL), UK. She has a broad background in the biomedical sciences, with her master’s degree research focused on mitochondrial dysfunction in multiple sclerosis, and her PhD research on apoptotic molecular mechanisms in cancer. She is motivated to be part of Open Access scientific publishing and believes it paves the way for sharing accessible sound science and knowledge.
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BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
This journal is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on the characterization, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the heart and circulatory system.
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BMC Pulmonary Medicine
This journal is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of pulmonary and associated disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.
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BMC Gastroenterology
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.
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BMC Oral Health
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of disorders of the mouth, teeth and gums, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.
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BMC Pediatrics
This is an open access journal publishing peer-reviewed research articles in all aspects of health care in neonates, children and adolescents, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.
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BMC Medical Research Methodology
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal publishing original research articles in methodological approaches to healthcare research.
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BMC Genomics
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of genetics, genomics and proteomics.
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BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
This is an open access journal publishing original peer-reviewed research articles in relation to the design, development, implementation, use, and evaluation of health information technologies and decision-making for human health.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Genomics of reproduction
BMC Genomics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Genomics of reproduction, a field that investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive processes in animals. We aim to explore how advancements in genomic technologies, such as DNA and RNA sequencing, can enhance our understanding of sexual reproduction, meiosis, and their implications in animal breeding, fertility, and species conservation. The application of these technologies to reproductive biology is uncovering the intricate dynamics of gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development, opening new avenues for innovation in reproductive health.
Researchers are now using these tools to investigate reproductive processes with a level of detail that was previously unattainable. For example, single-cell RNA sequencing has been used to construct detailed transcriptional atlases of animal reproductive tissues, revealing stage-specific gene expression patterns during spermatogenesis and identifying key regulators of meiotic progression and germ cell differentiation. In another application, whole-genome sequencing of livestock embryos has improved the detection of structural variants and mosaicism, allowing for more accurate selection in animal breeding programs and reducing the risk of developmental failure. Furthermore, natural models have been used in in livestock with large datasets to identify new variants or genes affecting fertility through genome-wide association studies with quantitative measurements of semen quality and insemination success.
Continued research in this field promises to yield transformative insights that could revolutionize our understanding of reproductive biology. Future studies may uncover novel genetic factors influencing fertility, enhance precision breeding approaches in livestock and wildlife management, and improve strategies for managing reproduction-related challenges in agriculture and conservation biology. Furthermore, the integration of genomics with other omics technologies may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between genetics, environment, and reproductive outcomes.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Genomic insights into meiosis
-Alternative strategies to sexual reproduction
-Parthenogenesis
- DNA sequencing applications in reproductive biology
- RNA sequencing in gametogenesis
- Genetic factors influencing fertility
- Epigenetic regulation of reproduction
- Genomics of reproductive aging
- Role of non-coding RNAs in reproductive processes
- Comparative genomics of reproductive traits
- Genomic approaches to species conservation
- Impact of environmental factors on reproductive genomics
- Advances in reproductive genomics for precision breeding and conservation
- Studies on sexual chromosomes and sexual development disorders
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Oct 01, 2026
Cattle genomics
BMC Genomics invites researchers to contribute to our Collection on Cattle genomics focusing on understanding the genetic makeup of bovine species, which is essential for improving livestock breeding and health. Advances in genomic technologies, such as next-generation sequencing and RNA sequencing, have enabled researchers to reveal insights into traits such as growth, meat quality, milk production, disease resistance, reproductive fitness, and overall adaptability in bovine genomes. This Collection aims to highlight the latest research developments in cattle genomics, encompassing both genomic and transcriptomic studies that contribute to the understanding of bovine biology.
Recent breakthroughs in genomic selection and precision breeding techniques have already shown promise in increasing efficiency in cattle production. The use of CRISPR-Cas genome editing, for example, has allowed for precise modifications to the cattle genome, introducing beneficial genetic variations without the linkage drag associated with traditional breeding methods. Additionally, the integration of omics technologies is paving the way for a holistic understanding of cattle biology, allowing for more effective management and breeding strategies. Studying the rumen microbiome using genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics has revealed how microbial communities contribute to feed efficiency and nutrient absorption. This comprehensive approach enables targeted nutritional strategies that improve cattle health and productivity while reducing environmental impact. Such integrative studies facilitate the selection of cattle with optimal microbiome compositions, leading to more sustainable and efficient cattle production systems.
As research in cattle genomics progresses, we can anticipate the development of more sophisticated genomic tools that will enable precise manipulation of genetic traits in bovine populations. This may lead to enhanced resilience against diseases, improved reproductive performance, and better adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Ultimately, continued innovation in this field holds the potential to reform cattle production systems, ensuring sustainable livestock farming for future generations.
- Genomic selection in cattle breeding
- Transcriptomic analysis of bovine traits
- Pathogenicity and disease resistance genomics
- Advances in RNA-Seq applications for cattle
- Omics approaches to cattle health and productivity
- Genetic mapping of economically important traits
- Gene editing
- Metagenomics of the bovine gut microbiome
- Epigenetic regulation of growth and reproduction
- Comparative genomics of cattle and other livestock species
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2, Zero Hunger.
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Aug 26, 2026
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