cancer-discovery
Cancer Discovery (cancer-discovery)
Journal positioning
Cancer Discovery is the flagship research journal of the American Association for Cancer Research and the leading venue for high-impact cancer biology and translational oncology. Its editorial DNA is built around discoveries that fundamentally advance understanding of cancer biology and carry immediate translational implications: driver oncogenes, tumor suppressor mechanisms, clonal evolution, drug resistance, immune evasion, and precision oncology strategies — with human cancer data (tumor genomics, patient cohorts, clinical specimens, early-phase trial results) as either primary or strong corroborating evidence. Cancer Discovery occupies the tier above Cancer Cell (which accepts rigorous mechanism without a mandatory translational claim) and below Nature/Science for cancer-specific work; it is the AACR community's highest-priority outlet before submitting to broad-science venues.
This skill is a fit / venue-selection / re-framing tool. It does not replace the journal's current official submission guidelines. Before submitting, re-check the live author instructions on the AACR / Cancer Discovery platform.
When to trigger
- The author names Cancer Discovery or the AACR flagship as the target venue.
- A cancer biology study needs venue selection among Cancer Discovery, Cancer Cell, and Nature Medicine.
- A translational oncology paper with tumor genomics and a clinical component needs framing guidance.
- The author needs Cancer Discovery's specific desk-reject risks and a ranked alternative list before submitting.