Advancing pathology through sixty volumes: reflections and future directions
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INTRODUCTION
The publication of Volume 60 of the Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine (JPTM) represents a distinguished scholarly milestone—one that invites both commemoration and renewed commitment. Sixty volumes of continuous publication embody more than chronological achievement; they reflect decades of scientific effort, organizational dedication, and a sustained aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of pathology.
A BRIEF HISTORICAL REFLECTION
The origins of JPTM date to 1967, when The Korean Journal of Pathology was founded as the official journal of the Korean Society of Pathologists [1,2]. For many years, it served as the primary venue for surgical pathology and experimental pathology research within Korea. In response to the growing importance of cytology as a diagnostic discipline, the Korean Journal of Cytopathology was launched in 1990, and the two journals were published in parallel for nearly two decades [3].
A major structural transformation occurred in 2009, when the two journals were unified into a single publication representing both the Korean Society of Pathologists and the Korean Society for Cytopathology [3]. As part of the merger agreement, the unified journal retained the name The Korean Journal of Pathology, preserving continuity and reflecting the longer publishing history of the parent title [3]. A dual editorial leadership system was introduced, with each society appointing its own Editor-in-Chief—one responsible for manuscripts in surgical and experimental pathology, and the other responsible for manuscripts in cytopathology [3]. This structure ensured a balanced representation of both disciplines. The two academic societies also agreed to jointly support publication and operational costs in a 7:3 ratio, reflecting the proportional distribution of content.
A significant milestone in international visibility came earlier, when the journal was indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) with Volume 41, Issue 1 in 2007 [4], a status maintained through Volume 47, Issue 6 in 2013. Although the journal was later removed from the SCIE list, this experience underscored the importance of heightened editorial rigor and deeper international engagement.
A series of transformative changes followed. The adoption of an all-English format in 2011 broadened international accessibility and encouraged global submissions. In 2015, the journal adopted its present title, the Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine (JPTM), signaling an expanded scope encompassing pathology, molecular diagnostics, and translational science. In 2017, JPTM was indexed in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), reinforcing its growing international standing and improving its discoverability within global scholarly databases.
These developments were not merely administrative adjustments; instead, they mirrored broader shifts across pathology, including the rise of molecular diagnostics, integrated translational research, and the adoption of advanced imaging and computational technologies. Throughout these transitions, the journal refined its identity to reflect the evolving scientific landscape. Notably, since its inaugural issue, JPTM has upheld an uninterrupted tradition of timely publication, releasing every issue on schedule for six decades—an achievement made possible by the sustained dedication of its editorial leadership and contributing societies.
Now in Volume 60, JPTM stands on 60 years of continuous publication. Recent progress reflects steady and measurable growth. The journal is currently indexed in ESCI and has achieved a 2024 Journal Impact Factor of 3.0 and a 2024 CiteScore of 3.4. These metrics indicate that JPTM’s publications are increasingly cited by researchers worldwide and that their relevance within the global pathology community continues to deepen.
In addition to these measurable indicators of growth, the journal’s trajectory over the past 60 years has been significantly shaped by the dedication and scholarly leadership of its Editors-in-Chief (Table 1). Their collective efforts have guided JPTM through major transitions, including the integration of cytopathology, the unification of the two journals in 2009, the shift to an all-English format, the adoption of the current title, and its evolution into a globally recognized open-access platform. The continuity, stability, and integrity of JPTM are largely due to the vision, commitment, and stewardship of these individuals.
Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine
As JPTM continues to strengthen its scientific presence, it does so within a broader publishing ecosystem marked by substantial geographic imbalances.
THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF JPTM IN A WESTERN-DOMINATED PUBLISHING WORLD
Although numerous pathology journals exist worldwide, the global publishing environment remains heavily concentrated in North America and Western Europe, where long-established academic societies and commercial publishers shape both editorial standards and scientific priorities. This concentration has notable implications for researchers outside these regions, particularly those in Asia, who often face structural barriers to gaining representation in high-impact Western journals. Differences in disease epidemiology, clinical practice patterns, research priorities, and writing conventions can reduce the likelihood that regionally meaningful studies are prioritized or accepted. The rapid growth of biomedical research in Asia, driven by large patient populations, diverse disease profiles, and advancing technological capabilities, often outpaces the capacity of Western-centered publication systems to accommodate it.
Economic barriers add further inequities. The global shift to open-access publishing has increased scientific accessibility, yet the associated article processing charges are frequently prohibitive for authors without substantial institutional or governmental support. These costs disproportionately burden early-career investigators and scientists working in resource-limited environments.
Within this landscape, JPTM fulfills an essential and irreplaceable role. As a fully open-access journal, JPTM publishes manuscripts without cost to authors—or at only minimal cost for specific categories such as case studies—thereby ensuring that access to publication is determined by scientific merit rather than financial capacity. At the same time, the journal maintains rigorous peer review, broad scientific scope, and growing international reach, providing a high-quality platform for research across all areas of pathology and translational medicine.
By lowering both structural and economic barriers, JPTM enhances the global visibility of scientific work originating in Asia, enriches international literature with findings relevant to diverse populations and clinical environments, supports early-career researchers seeking an equitable pathway into global publishing, and contributes to a more balanced and representative scientific dialogue. In this regard, JPTM is not merely another pathology journal; it is an essential platform that counterbalances Western-dominated publication structures and advances global scientific communication.
SUSTAINING INTERNATIONAL REACH AND CROSS-REGIONAL DIALOGUE
Although the journal’s origins are rooted in Korea, its mission has long been global in scope. The rapid evolution of pathology as an international discipline requires scholarly platforms that can sustain scientific exchange across regions with distinct clinical environments, disease patterns, and research priorities. JPTM is well-positioned to serve as such a platform, as evidenced by its growing international authorship representing Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.
Looking ahead, the journal seeks to deepen its contribution to cross-regional dialogue through initiatives such as thematic special issues developed in collaboration with global experts, invited reviews that synthesize emerging ideas from diverse geographic settings, and editorial partnerships that connect researchers working on complementary scientific challenges across continents. The planned expansion of the editorial board to include a broader range of international scholars will further reinforce these efforts.
JPTM aims to cultivate an environment in which scientific perspectives from globally diverse contexts are equitably represented. Such inclusivity enriches the global understanding of disease, particularly in pathology, where variations in epidemiology, genetics, and environment underscore the need for knowledge drawn from multiple regions.
CURRENT POSITION AND STRENGTHS OF JPTM
Today, JPTM occupies a position of growing international prominence. Submissions come from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, reflecting a readership and contributor base that extends well beyond the journal’s national origins. Its multidisciplinary scope encompasses surgical pathology, cytopathology, molecular pathology, digital pathology, tumor biology, translational oncology, and the full spectrum of organ-based diagnostic specialties. Editorial processes have been strengthened through careful oversight, ethical rigor, and consistent application of peer-review standards. Coupled with an uninterrupted publication record and rising citation metrics, these developments demonstrate that JPTM has matured into a stable, credible, and internationally relevant journal.
LOOKING AHEAD: PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT DECADE
As pathology continues to evolve toward deeper integration with molecular medicine, spatial and single-cell technologies, advanced imaging, and computational science, JPTM must remain responsive to this changing landscape. Future priorities include strengthening the journal’s focus on studies that bridge diagnostic pathology with translational and mechanistic research, expanding the publication of clinically impactful investigations, enhancing editorial transparency and adherence to global ethical standards, and supporting early-career investigators through an accessible and equitable publication model. International participation should continue to grow through collaborative initiatives and themed issues that highlight emerging areas of scientific importance. A long-term aspiration remains the journal’s eventual re-indexing in SCIE, achieved through continuous improvements in scientific quality, editorial governance, and international engagement.
UPHOLDING EDITORIAL INTEGRITY IN THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more deeply integrated into scientific research and clinical practice, the scholarly publishing ecosystem faces new ethical and procedural challenges. AI-assisted writing tools, algorithmic data analysis, automated figure generation, and large language models offer powerful capabilities but also pose risks related to authorship responsibility, data authenticity, image manipulation, plagiarism, and the erosion of scientific accountability.
Recognizing these challenges, JPTM has strengthened its editorial policies to ensure the responsible, transparent, and ethically governed use of AI in scientific publishing. AI tools cannot be listed as authors, as they cannot assume responsibility for the integrity of published work. Any use of generative AI or algorithmic assistance in writing, image processing, or data analysis must be clearly disclosed in the manuscript, including the tool used, the purpose for its use, and the extent of its contribution. Undisclosed AI-generated content constitutes a breach of publication ethics.
As AI continues to advance, JPTM will maintain a flexible, adaptive policy framework, regularly update author guidelines, provide ongoing training for editors and reviewers, and align with global standards such as Committee on Publication Ethics, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, and Council of Science Editors. By proactively addressing AI-related ethical issues, JPTM seeks to uphold the highest standards of trust, rigor, and accountability while embracing innovations that enhance the publication process.
CONCLUSION
Sixty volumes of continuous publication reflect a remarkable legacy of dedication by authors, reviewers, editors, and the academic societies that have supported JPTM since its inception. The journal’s evolution, from a nationally focused publication to a platform of growing international stature, illustrates how scholarly publishing must adapt to new technological, scientific, and ethical realities while upholding enduring commitments to quality, accessibility, and integrity. As JPTM moves into its next decade, it remains committed to advancing the science and practice of pathology, fostering global dialogue, and providing a fair and rigorous venue for the dissemination of research in pathology and translational medicine. The achievements of the past sixty volumes form a shared foundation, and the promise of the future rests on our collective commitment to sustaining and elevating the journal’s contributions to the worldwide pathology community.
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Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest.