Aims & Scope
Journal of Thyroid Cancer (JTC) publishes mechanistic research elucidating the molecular pathophysiology of thyroid malignancies, from genetic alterations and signaling pathways to tumor microenvironment interactions and biomarker discovery.
Core Research Domains
JTC prioritizes original research that advances mechanistic understanding of thyroid cancer pathophysiology across four core domains. Each submission must demonstrate clear molecular or cellular insights beyond descriptive observations.
Molecular Genetics & Genomics
- Driver mutations (BRAF, RAS, RET, TERT promoter) and their functional consequences
- Chromosomal rearrangements and fusion oncogenes in thyroid carcinogenesis
- Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications) in tumor progression
- Gene expression profiling and transcriptional regulatory networks
- Germline predisposition syndromes and hereditary thyroid cancer mechanisms
- Next-generation sequencing applications for mutation landscape characterization
Cellular Signaling & Pathways
- MAPK/ERK pathway dysregulation in thyroid cancer subtypes
- PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling alterations and metabolic reprogramming
- Receptor tyrosine kinase activation mechanisms
- Wnt/beta-catenin pathway involvement in tumor dedifferentiation
- Thyroid hormone receptor signaling disruption
- Cross-talk between oncogenic pathways in resistance mechanisms
Tumor Microenvironment & Immunology
- Immune cell infiltration patterns and their molecular determinants
- Tumor-associated macrophage polarization and function
- T cell exhaustion mechanisms and checkpoint molecule expression
- Stromal-epithelial interactions in tumor progression
- Cytokine and chemokine signaling networks
- Extracellular matrix remodeling and invasion mechanisms
Biomarker Discovery & Validation
- Molecular markers for tumor classification and risk stratification
- Circulating biomarkers (ctDNA, miRNA, exosomes) and their mechanistic origins
- Protein biomarkers and post-translational modifications
- Metabolomic signatures in thyroid cancer subtypes
- Predictive markers for molecular pathway activation status
- Liquid biopsy technologies for molecular monitoring
Secondary Focus Areas
JTC welcomes interdisciplinary research that bridges traditional boundaries while maintaining focus on mechanistic pathophysiology. These areas complement our core domains through methodological innovation or cross-disciplinary insights.
Molecular Pathology
- Histopathological-molecular correlations in tumor classification
- Spatial transcriptomics and proteomics in tissue architecture
- Molecular mechanisms underlying morphological variants
- Tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution studies
Radiation Biology
- Ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage and repair mechanisms
- Molecular pathways activated by radioiodine exposure
- Radiation-induced genomic instability in thyroid cells
- Cellular responses to environmental radiation exposure
Metabolic Reprogramming
- Glucose and lipid metabolism alterations in thyroid cancer
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress mechanisms
- Metabolic enzyme expression and activity regulation
- Metabolite-driven epigenetic modifications
Computational Biology
- Machine learning for molecular pattern recognition
- Network analysis of multi-omics data
- Predictive modeling of pathway activation states
- Systems biology approaches to tumor complexity
Metastasis Mechanisms
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecular drivers
- Lymphatic and vascular invasion molecular determinants
- Distant metastasis organotropism mechanisms
- Metastatic niche establishment and colonization
Resistance Mechanisms
- Molecular basis of radioiodine refractoriness
- Acquired resistance to targeted molecular therapies
- Bypass signaling pathway activation
- Tumor cell plasticity and adaptive responses
Emerging Research Frontiers
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Priority 1: Fast-Track Review Expedited
Novel mechanistic insights with robust experimental validation. Target decision: 21 days.
Priority 2: Standard Review Standard
Focused studies, preliminary findings, or methodological advances. Target decision: 35 days.
Rarely Considered Selective
Only if presenting exceptional mechanistic insights or paradigm-shifting hypotheses. Pre-submission inquiry strongly recommended.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
All submissions must follow discipline-appropriate reporting standards: ARRIVE (animal studies), MIQE (qPCR), REMARK (biomarker studies), STREGA (genetic association), or relevant domain-specific guidelines.
Data Transparency
Raw data, code, and protocols must be deposited in public repositories (GEO, ArrayExpress, GitHub, protocols.io). Data availability statements are mandatory for all research articles.
Ethics & Reproducibility
IRB/IACUC approval required for human/animal studies. Cell line authentication and mycoplasma testing documentation mandatory. Antibody validation per RRID standards.
Preprint Policy
Preprint posting encouraged and does not affect consideration. Authors must disclose preprint DOI at submission. Journal publication represents version of record.
