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.
Xiulin currently co-chairs the Cardiovascular Research Community. She is an active member of several SDG Working Groups at Springer Nature, and raises awareness for the SDGs through various projects. She recently launched an SDG 1-SDG 3 collaboration project on the challenges associated with universal health coverage.
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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.
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: Nov 26, 2026
Genomics of adaptation to extreme thermal environments
As climate change continues to influence ecosystems around the globe, understanding the genomics of adaptation to hot and cold environments is becoming increasingly important. This Collection focuses on the genetic mechanisms that enable plants and animals to thrive in extreme environments, such as the Arctic and Antarctic regions or deserts and tropical regions. By examining the genomic adaptations that allow organisms to survive extreme temperatures, researchers can gain insights into the evolutionary processes that shape biodiversity in these unique habitats.
Such research is particularly significant as it helps elucidate how organisms respond to environmental stressors and can inform conservation strategies for vulnerable species. The recent technological advances in the field have accelerated the discovery of key genes and pathways involved in adaptation to extreme environments. For instance, studies on the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica)—a tree capable of surviving temperatures below -70°C—have identified cold-responsive genes such as CBF transcription factors, antifreeze proteins, and genes involved in lipid metabolism. Comparable advances have been made in species adapted to extreme heat. Genomic analyses of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius), for example, have revealed heat responsive genes linked to water conservation, protein stability and thermotolerance, including expanded gene families related to heat shock proteins and aquaporins. These findings, enabled by whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing, shed light on the molecular strategies that support survival in both extreme cold and extreme heat and offer potential markers for breeding thermally resilient species. Moreover, these insights can provide valuable information for predicting how species will respond to ongoing climate shifts, highlighting the role of genomics in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
Such advancements could pave the way for novel conservation strategies, improved management of ecosystems facing thermal extremes and the development of agricultural practices tailored to harsh climates. The knowledge gained may also contribute to synthetic biology applications aimed at enhancing crop and livestock performance under fluctuating or extreme temperatures.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Genomic adaptations in plants across thermal extremes
- Thermal tolerance mechanisms in animals across thermal extremes
- Evolutionary pathways of speciation in extreme thermal environments
- Comparative genomics of species adapted to cold and hot climates
- Epigenetic regulation in response to thermal stress
- Microbiome dynamics in cold and hot environments
- Functional genomics of cryoprotective and thermoprotective compounds
- Transcriptomic responses to seasonal temperature shifts
- Population genomics of species at thermal range edges
- Genetic mechanisms underpinning resilience to extreme heat or cold
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: Nov 17, 2026
