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Translational research in oral oncology – A bridge between basic science and clinical application

I am delighted to present the inaugural volume of Translational Research in Oral Oncology (TROO). Translation is the principle of turning fundamental scientific discoveries into improvements in human health and economic benefit. TROO is an open access, peer reviewed, multidisciplinary journal that will address current issues primarily, but not exclusively, in oral and oropharyngeal cancer; it will also cover other neoplasms of the head and neck including the salivary gland and odontogenic tumours of jaws. These cancers collectively contribute to substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide with an estimated 526,481 annual incident cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. The Journal seeks to generate a new and deeper understanding of the mechanisms relating to oral carcinogenesis and identification of potential new therapeutic targets, thereby accelerating the translation of basic science to positively impact on patient health. Furthermore, the Journal aspires to stimulate communication between basic scientists and clinicians and act as a dashboard to provide opportunities for ‘reverse translation’ to basic research. Oral cancer is a serious health problem and despite slight improvements in survival rates, approximately 50% of patients still die of or with the disease. In addition, there is clear evidence that oral and oropharyngeal cancers are increasing in incidence, with a greater increase in the oropharynx. Despite the amenability of the mucosal lining of the oral cavity and pharynx for visual inspection, these cancers are often diagnosed at advanced stages, resulting in poor survival outcomes. Research to improve earlier diagnosis/screening in primary care has been overlooked and requires funding and brainstorming. To assist research development and to build on future research, we propose to publish relevant scientific protocols involving clinical trials and research in primary care to reduce any diagnostic delays with the objective to improve survival. Journals publishing basic research on cancer are expanding; however, we sometimes note that the authors’ findings are not readily connected to an obvious clinical problem. By highlighting the translational value of their research findings – in a mandatory summary – we aim to generate both an understanding of disease mechanisms to develop new technology for diagnosis and therapy as well as provide a focus for translation of results from clinical studies into everyday clinical practice and for the development of healthcare policy. To do so, we propose to invite reviews on relevant areas of basic research at a level accessible to clinicians and moreover to attract articles based on primary research highlighting clinical applications in oral oncology. The inaugural Global Oral Cancer Forum that was held in March 2016 in New York, convened scientists from around the world working on oral cancer to discuss state-of-the-art science on the global burden of oral cavity cancers. The Journal is fortunate to attract manuscripts based on some of the material presented at this forum to its inaugural volume. Our publisher SAGE is a leading independent, academic and professional publisher with a wide portfolio in scientific publishing and is listed as the world’s fifth largest journals publisher. I am honoured to serve as the founding editor and wish to thank my Editorial Board many of whom are leaders in this field and selected to serve for their wide ranging experience. I also wish to thank our prospective authors for their high quality contributions and I look forward to publishing the best of their work.