Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
JOURNAL METRICS·Updated June 2026
Cancer Discovery Impact Factor 2025
Cancer Discovery Impact Factor 2025 is 29.5 (Q1, Oncology, AACR). Launched in 2011, Cancer Discovery has rapidly emerged as the leading forum for translational cancer research, bridging laboratory discovery and clinical application.
EDITORIAL CONTEXTThe AACR’s Flagship Discovery Journal
Founded in 2011 by the American Association for Cancer Research, Cancer Discovery (ISSN: 2159-8274) was created to address a specific gap in the oncology literature: a high-impact venue dedicated exclusively to the earliest stages of discovery that have clear potential to transform patient care. In just over a decade, it has fulfilled that mission with remarkable success.
An Impact Factor of 29.5 places Cancer Discovery in the top echelon of oncology journals worldwide. It competes directly with longer-established titles and often outperforms them on citation velocity, a testament to the quality and clinical relevance of the science it publishes.
HISTORICAL DATAImpact Factor Evolution
| Year | Impact Factor | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 22.3 | → |
| 2021 | 23.9 | ↑ |
| 2022 | 25.1 | ↑ |
| 2023 | 26.3 | ↑ |
| 2024 | 28.1 | ↑ |
| 2025 | 29.5 | ↑ |
The data reveal a journal in consistent ascent. From 22.3 in 2020 to 29.5 in 2025, the trajectory reflects Cancer Discovery’s growing centrality to the oncology research ecosystem. Each inflection point corresponds with major advances in immuno-oncology, targeted therapy, and precision medicine, fields in which the journal has been a leading voice.
Key Takeaways
- Cancer Discovery’s 29.5 Impact Factor ranks it among the top oncology journals globally.
- Published by AACR, it serves as the primary discovery-to-clinic bridge in cancer research.
- A CiteScore of 38.5 signals strong citation performance in the Scopus database.
- The journal emphasizes translational research with demonstrable clinical relevance.
RESEARCH FOCUSTranslational Oncology and Precision Medicine
The editorial scope of Cancer Discovery encompasses all aspects of cancer biology with potential therapeutic implications. Major themes include cancer genomics, tumor immunology, drug resistance mechanisms, cancer metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment. The journal places particular emphasis on studies that provide a clear path from bench to bedside, including preclinical efficacy data and biomarker discovery.
IF METHODOLOGYUnderstanding the 29.5 Impact Factor
The Impact Factor is a ratio: citations in the reporting year divided by citable items in the two preceding publication years. Cancer Discovery’s 29.5 means that articles published in 2023–2024 averaged 29.5 citations each in 2025. This metric should be interpreted alongside article-level metrics, as a single breakthrough paper can significantly influence the overall average.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Cancer Discovery Impact Factor 2025?
The 2025 Impact Factor is 29.5, placing it in Q1 for Oncology.
Who publishes Cancer Discovery?
The journal is published by the AACR (AACR).
What is the scope of the journal?
Translational cancer research, including genomics, immuno-oncology, drug resistance, cancer metabolism, and precision medicine.
How selective is Cancer Discovery?
Highly selective. The editorial board prioritizes studies with clear translational potential and rigorous preclinical validation.
Is it better than Cancer Cell?
Both are elite. Cancer Cell has a higher IF (~56), while Cancer Discovery’s IF of 29.5 reflects its specific focus on discovery-to-clinic translation. The best choice depends on your research focus.
