The NEJSDS is the official journal of the New England Statistical Society (NESS). The Section of Cancer Research aims to serve as an interface between statistics and basic/clinical oncology, to encourage researchers to exchange innovative ideas, and to promote statistical and data science methods to the general scientific community.

The 2022 Call for a Special Issue in “Novel Statistical Methods and Designs for Clinical Trials” solicits high-quality manuscripts that will be subject to the novel review process of the journal (https://journal.nestat.org/). The topics of interests include but not limited to the follows:

1. Master Protocols
2. Seamless Trial Designs
3. Use of External Data and Real World Evidence
4. Dose Finding and Dose Ranging Methods
5. Complex and Innovative Designs
6. Subgroup Enrichment and Analysis

Manuscripts for a Special Issue should have a clear-presented unifying theme and reflect high-quality work, in which future investigation may be boosted by the publication of a set of excellent papers. Manuscript format and submission should follow the general journal guidance at https://journal.nestat.org/submission.

Please note that an author can be involved in only one paper. The Editorial Board members may appear as co-author in one paper. Co-Editors will write the introduction to the Special Issue. Discussion papers will be considered to the submission with high impact and interests. Providing access to data is encouraged. Manuscripts for Special Issues should be sent by March 31, 2023 via the journal online submission portal https://www.e-publications.org/ness/sbs/. Please state that your submissions are "For the Special Issue on “Novel Statistical Methods and Designs for Clinical Trials” in the Box of Comments to the editors. The selection of the highest-quality manuscript is the outcome of a collaborative evaluation by reviewers according to the following criteria:

• Suitability of the topic for the special issue
• Overall quality of the manuscript: originality and contribution to the field
• Theoretical background and rationale of proposal and individual papers
• Methodological adequacy of the individual papers
• Clarity and significance of the results
• Quality of discussion and conclusions
• Completeness of the manuscripts

The manuscript review process will take no more than 6 weeks after closing the deadline. Once the highest-quality papers have been selected among those submitted, it will be the responsibility of the Editors to proceed within the agreed timeline.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Editors for further details and clarifications.

We are looking forward to receiving your creative proposals.

On behalf of the entire Editorial Board of NEJSDS Cancer Research,

Yuan Ji (Co-Editor of NEJSDS Cancer Research), University of Chicago
Ying Lu (Co-Editor of NEJSDS Cancer Research), Stanford University

May 15, 2022