Katherine Van Loon, MD, MPH, has been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO), an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) journal. JCO GO is an online only open access journal focusing on cancer research, care and delivery in low-resource countries and settings. The journal aims to address the challenges faced by health care professionals in these regions by providing a platform for high-quality, relevant content. Van Loon will begin serving as editor-in-chief of JCO GO on Feb. 1, 2025.
“Dr. Van Loon's experience, skills and passion for reducing global disparities in cancer care make her the ideal leader to build on JCO Global Oncology’s strong foundation,” said ASCO Chief Executive Officer Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO. “She will be instrumental in helping us all better understand and address the unique challenges faced by health care professionals providing cancer care in under-resourced areas. We are excited by the opportunities to amplify ASCO's mission to conquer cancer worldwide.”
Van Loon is a gastrointestinal oncologist, UCSF professor of Medicine and director of the Global Cancer Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Van Loon oversees UCSF’s portfolio of research, capacity-building projects in low and middle-income countries and educational programs in global oncology. Her research focuses on the distribution of gastrointestinal cancers, both in the U.S. and around the globe, with the aim of enhancing clinical outcomes and minimizing disparities among populations facing health disparities.
“It is both an honor and tremendous privilege to steward JCO Global Oncology at a time when the focus on the global burden of cancer is rapidly intensifying. ASCO and our international members have a tremendous opportunity to work collectively to reduce disparities in global cancer outcomes, and I expect we will see tremendous progress over the next decade,” said Van Loon. “As this field continues to accelerate, it will be imperative that the journal is able to keep pace and disseminate lessons learned from around the world for maximal impact.”