Discover Oncology
Publisher: Springer Nature ISSN: 2520-1027 (electronic) Open Access: Yes Impact Factor (2024): ~2.7 (estimated; variable across databases) Website: Discover Oncology – Springer
📌 Overview
Discover Oncology is an open-access journal launched under the “Discover” series by Springer Nature. It aims to provide rapid publication of high-quality, peer-reviewed research across all areas of oncology, with an emphasis on translational and clinical relevance. The journal was formerly known as Hormones and Cancer, reflecting a shift from a narrow endocrine-oncology focus to broader oncologic science.
🧪 Scope and Aims
The journal covers:
Basic, translational, and clinical oncology
Cancer biology, genetics, and molecular pathways
Immuno-oncology and tumor microenvironment
Cancer prevention, epidemiology, diagnostics, and therapy
It encourages submissions on emerging therapeutic targets, biomarker discovery, novel clinical trial designs, and immunotherapy strategies.
✅ Strengths
1. Open Access Format Allows wide dissemination and global accessibility, aligning with modern publishing norms.
2. Fast Publication Turnaround Rapid peer review and publication are appealing for researchers seeking visibility.
3. Broad Coverage The expanded scope captures multidisciplinary advances and increases the journal’s relevance.
4. Inclusion of Negative Results and Methodology Papers Encourages transparency and reproducibility—essential in oncology research.
⚠️ Weaknesses and Limitations
1. Moderate Scientific Impact Despite its affiliation with Springer, Discover Oncology has a relatively modest impact factor (~2.7), making it less influential compared to top-tier oncology journals like Cancer Cell, JCO, or Nature Reviews Cancer.
2. Article Quality and Rigor Several articles show limited methodological depth, particularly those originating from lower-tier institutions. There's frequent reliance on in vitro or preclinical mouse models without sufficient translational linkage.
3. Reviewer and Editorial Oversight While the journal claims rigorous peer review, concerns have been raised about the variability in review depth, especially for fast-track publications. Some studies with questionable reproducibility or weak statistical power have been published.
4. Citation Strategy and Indexing Many papers exhibit low citation rates, suggesting limited reach or influence within the scientific community. The journal is indexed in Scopus and PubMed Central, but lacks inclusion in more selective meta-indexes like ESCI (Emerging Sources Citation Index) with high prestige.
🧠 Ideal Audience
Early-career researchers seeking publication experience
Authors from emerging research institutions with limited access to higher-impact venues
Readers interested in a snapshot of international, often Asia-led, oncology work
🏁 Final Assessment
Discover Oncology serves a useful role in the expanding ecosystem of open-access oncology journals. However, its current scientific rigor, impact, and editorial standards place it in the second or third tier of oncology publishing. Clinicians and researchers should interpret its studies with caution, focusing on methodological soundness and external validation.
Use this journal for exploratory findings, not for definitive clinical guidance.