I would like to take this opportunity to first thank all of those who have contributed manuscripts to the International Journal of Hyperthermia in past years and to those of you who have helped to maintain and raise its scientific impact by providing high quality reviews. The reputation of the journal lands squarely on the shoulders of those who support it in both ways. I also want to thank all present and past members of the Editorial Board. Many of you have contributed to the journal through the review process, but have also contributed in many other ways, serving as advisors and in taking on special responsibilities for the journal, such as editing Special Issues. Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Dewhirst, the Managing Editor of the journal for her unflagging enthusiasm, her scrupulous management of the journal, her creativity and her willingness to engage in the hyperthermia community as an active participant in this field, as opposed to an observer.
The journal was started in 1985, a period when the field of hyperthermia was experiencing unprecedented enthusiasm. It was being touted as the next major form of cancer therapy. The original editorship was international and represented the three major hyperthermia societies from Europe, Japan and North America. The first list of Senior Editors included George Hahn from Stanford University, USA, Stanley Field, from Hammersmith Hospital, London, Jens Overgaard from the Danish Cancer Society, and T. Sugahara, from the University of Kyoto, Japan. Of these original four, Jens Overgaard remains on the board today.
Following Dr Hahn's retirement in 1993, I replaced him as a Senior Editor. Over the past 13 years we have initiated a number of changes to the journal that have positively influenced the impact factor which we believe will maintain and accelerate credibility and interest in the Journal and in the field of hyperthermia for the foreseeable future.
Special issues
The most ambitious initiative was the introduction of Special Issues. These issues were conceived by the Editorial Board and have consisted of collections of papers on thematic topics. Eight Special Issues have been published since this initiative started in 2002. A ninth Special Issue on High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is currently in progress. These issues, by far, have had the greatest influence on the impact factor over the past several years. It is important to note that the Special Issues have focused on breaking areas of new research as opposed to rehashing old science. This initiative has taken courage on the part of the Board, but the payoff has been well worth the risks involved.
Editor's awards
In this past year, we have initiated other new features to the journal. 2007 marks the first year of the presentation of the Editor's Awards. Papers submitted by investigators less than 35 years of age are eligible. Three awards will be given, in the disciplines of physics/engineering, medicine and biology. The awards include special recognition in the journal, a cash prize of $750, plus a year's free membership in one of the three hyperthermia societies–Society for Thermal Medicine, the European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology or the Asian Society for Hyperthermic Oncology. These papers will be evaluated for scientific merit by the Editorial Board. Selection of best paper will be determined by vote of the board. For 2007, seven papers were submitted for consideration. The winners will be announced in the next issue of the journal. We encourage all young investigators to apply to be considered for this award for the upcoming year. For more information, please see http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/pdf/competitions/thth.pdf
New journal cover and format
The journal enlarged from six issues per year to eight in 2004, which increased the copy by 10%. However, we felt more changes needed to be undertaken. In 2006 the Editorial Board and the publisher worked diligently to modernize the journal. This has included redesign of the journal cover, which now includes highlighted data or figures from each current issue on the cover as well as an enlarged page size. We hope that you are pleased with what you see in this inaugural issue. The increased page size has had the effect of again increasing the copy by another 10%.
Online submission and review
In August of this year, the journal went live with respect to having online submission and review. It has taken several years to finally get this process off the ground, but the effort has been well worth it. We are already seeing the impact in terms of the number of papers submitted and in the speed with which reviews are being completed. This year we had the largest number of papers submitted for consideration since I have been Editor (77). This is up by 20% over the average of the past several years. Here is the website where you can establish an account and upload papers for consideration in the journal: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/thth
Reorganization of the Editorial Board
This past year, we also reorganized the Board, to reflect better the actual operations and to increase the input from the Sponsoring Societies. This reorganization also puts each Sponsoring Society on an equal footing with respect to representation at the Senior Editor level. I have now assumed the position of Editor-n-Chief. There are three Senior Editors, representing each of the sponsoring societies. Professor Olav Dahl represents the European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, Professor Yoshiaki Tanaka represents the Asian Society of Hyperthermic Oncology and Professor Elizabeth Repasky represents the Society for Thermal Medicine. Over the next year, the Senior Editors will assume more responsibility in the areas of policy and review management. In addition, we will be relying on them to be the direct connection back to each Sponsoring Society.
I am very excited about the positive changes that have been implemented for the journal and look forward to working with authors, reviewers and editors in the future. The field of hyperthermia is experiencing a resurgence of interest. The International Journal of Hyperthermia is poised to take a leadership position in maintaining this momentum.