A number of articles in the Journal have been especially influential, to judge from their citation rate. We have invited a number of cancer experts to write Perspectives on some of the Classic Articles in which they provide their view on how the paper affected the field at the time and/or subsequently.
Basic Cancer Research
Metastasis Suppressor GenesPatricia S. Steeg
J Natl Cancer Inst 96:E1, March 17, 2004
This Perspective is by the author of the Classic Article of Steeg et al. (J Natl Cancer Inst 1988; 80: 200-204), which launched the metastasis suppressor gene field. The author provides a historical perspective and highlights recent advances in metastasis suppressor research.
Causes and Prevention
Bacterial Infections as a Cause of CancerPelayo Correa
J Natl Cancer Inst 95:E3, April 2, 2003
This Perspective accompanies the classic articles by Parsonnet et al. (J Natl Cancer Inst 1991;83:640–3) and by Talley et al. (J Natl Cancer Inst 1991;83:1734–9). The author notes that these studies contributed substantially to the recognition of H. pylori as a human carcinogen, setting the stage for the scientific study of bacterial carcinogenesis.
Epidemiologic Studies of a Necessary Causal Risk Factor: Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical NeoplasiaMark H. Schiffman and Philip Castle
J Natl Cancer Inst 95:E2, March 19, 2003
In this Perspective, which accompanies the Classic Articles by Bosch et al. (J Natl Cancer Inst 1995;87: 796-802) and Schiffman et al. (J Natl Cancer Inst 1993; 85: 958-64), the authors address some of the unique epidemiologic aspects of establishing HPV as a necessary causal agent for cervical cancer.
β-Carotene and Lung Cancer: A Lesson for Future Chemoprevention Investigations?Peter Greenwald
J Natl Cancer Inst 95:E1, January 1, 2003
This Perspective accompanies the Classic Articles by Albanes et al. (J Natl Cancer Inst 1996;88:1560–70) and Omenn et al.(J Natl Cancer Inst 1996;88:1550–9). The author discusses the lessons learned from the trials described in these articles, which were designed to test whether β-carotene, as well as α-tocopherol and retinol, have chemopreventive effects on lung cancer risk.
- Re: β-Carotene and Lung Cancer: A Lesson for Future Chemoprevention Investigations?
Daniel O. Stram and Anna H. Wu
J Natl Cancer Inst 95:E4, May 21, 2003