About this Research Topic

Background

Cancer treatment timing is a critical area of research, given that cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The timing of diagnosis and initiation of treatment significantly influences patient survival rates. Many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages due to delays in diagnosis and the aggressive nature of certain cancers, which diminishes the chances of a cure. The advent of personalized medicine, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, has revolutionized cancer treatment by focusing on specific cancer cells or the tumor microenvironment, guided by biomarkers. These advancements have led to more effective and less toxic treatment options, including the integration of non-surgical therapies and the extension of treatment indications to earlier-stage cancers. Despite these advancements, chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain integral components of cancer treatment strategies. However, the increasing complexity of these strategies necessitates a deeper understanding of the impact of treatment sequencing on patient outcomes. Current research is exploring the optimal intervals between treatments, such as neoadjuvant therapy and surgery, and the timing of treatment discontinuation, especially in the context of prolonged survivorship with advanced therapies. There is a need for studies that address the balance between treatment duration, patient prognosis, quality of life, and financial implications for both patients and healthcare systems.

This research topic aims to foster emerging evidence of the optimal timing of cancer treatments. The primary objective is to rigorously examine and discuss the evidence surrounding the timing of cancer treatment initiation and discontinuation. Key questions include the impact of treatment-to-treatment intervals on patient outcomes and healthcare utilization, as well as the factors influencing these intervals. The research will also explore the optimal duration of treatment to balance prognosis, quality of life, and financial costs. By addressing these questions, the research aims to provide insights that can inform clinical practice and policy, ultimately improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

To gather further insights into the optimal timing of cancer treatments, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Length of time intervals between cancer treatments.
- Social, clinical, and healthcare factors contributing to the length of time intervals.
- Impact of time intervals on patient outcomes and healthcare utilization.
- Study design and methodology for researching treatment timing.
- Relevant policy and expert consensus on treatment timing.

Submissions should include detailed reporting of study methodology in accordance with relevant guidelines, such as the Aarhus statement and REST guideline. We encourage a diverse range of studies that consider specific treatment options, therapeutic settings, cancer characteristics, and healthcare systems.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Time-to-treatment, treatment-to-treatment interval, duration of therapy, treatment delay, neoplasms

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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