Manuscript Preparation Standards
Manuscripts should be submitted as Microsoft Word files using twelve point font, double spacing, and continuous line numbering. Include a title page, abstract, main text, references, tables, and figure legends in a single file, with figures uploaded separately.
Use clear headings and follow IMRAD structure for original research. Review articles should describe search strategy and selection criteria. Case reports must include patient consent and clinical relevance.
Provide complete funding statements, author contributions, and conflict of interest disclosures. If clinical trial registration is required, include the registry name and identifier in the abstract and methods section.
Ensure statistical methods are described with sufficient detail and report effect sizes and confidence intervals where applicable. Tables and figures should not duplicate text and must be understandable without referencing the main narrative.
If your study includes specialized assays, imaging protocols, or computational pipelines, provide enough detail for replication. When possible, share code, software versions, and data repositories.
File names should be clear and descriptive, especially for figures and supplementary materials, to avoid confusion during production. Label figures and tables in the order they appear in the text.
During revision, respond to reviewer comments clearly, identify where changes were made, and provide both marked and clean versions of the manuscript.
A concise cover letter should summarize the manuscript contribution, confirm exclusive submission, and highlight any prior posting such as a preprint. If related work has been submitted elsewhere, disclose it to avoid duplication concerns.
Reference accuracy is critical. Verify all citations, include DOI links when available, and ensure that reference formatting follows Vancouver style to prevent production delays.
Use SI units and standard oncology terminology throughout. Abbreviations should be defined at first use and used consistently in the abstract, tables, and figures.
Figures should be high resolution, at least three hundred dpi, and submitted in standard formats such as TIFF, JPEG, or PNG. Provide complete legends that explain symbols, units, and statistical annotations.
Clinical trials should describe randomization, blinding, and allocation concealment methods. Include adverse event reporting and registration details in the manuscript.
Systematic reviews should include search dates, databases, inclusion criteria, and a PRISMA flow diagram when applicable. Narrative reviews should still describe the evidence selection approach.
If patient images or identifiable data are included, confirm consent and remove unnecessary identifiers. Protecting privacy is essential for clinical and translational oncology research.
Preprints are permitted when disclosed at submission. Update preprint records after acceptance to ensure readers access the final published version.
For multicenter studies, describe site selection, harmonized protocols, and data monitoring procedures. Clearly state how protocol deviations were handled and whether interim analyses were performed.
Provide trial registration and data sharing statements in the abstract when required, and ensure that supplementary files are cited in the text to avoid omission during production.
Describe chemotherapy dosing schedules, dose modifications, and toxicity grading methods so clinicians can interpret safety and effectiveness with confidence.
Define all abbreviations in tables and figures, and verify that abbreviations are consistent across the manuscript.
Confirm that tables and figures match values reported in the text.
Define abbreviations in supplementary files as well.
Check page proofs carefully before final approval.
Title Page and Authorship
Provide a concise title, full author names, affiliations, corresponding author contact details, running head, word count, and complete conflict of interest statements. Include ORCID identifiers where available.
Abstract and Keywords
Original research requires a structured abstract with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions within two hundred fifty words. Provide five to eight keywords using MeSH terms when possible.
Methods and Reporting
Describe study design, setting, participants, interventions, outcomes, and statistical analysis with enough detail for replication. Report software versions and include ethical approval identifiers.
Figures, Tables, and References
Submit high resolution figures as separate files and provide complete legends. Tables should be editable and placed after references. Use Vancouver numeric citation style and include DOI links when available.
Supplementary Materials
Additional datasets, protocols, or extended analyses may be submitted as supplementary files. Reference these items in the main text and label files clearly for review and publication.
Language and Style
Manuscripts must be written in clear English using consistent spelling conventions. Authors who are not native English speakers should consider professional editing before submission.
Revisions
When revising, respond to reviewer comments point by point. Highlight changes in the manuscript and provide a clean version for final evaluation.
Statistical Reporting
Report effect sizes, confidence intervals, and exact p values when appropriate. Describe assumptions, missing data handling, and sensitivity analyses.
Permissions
Secure permissions for any third party figures or tables and include documentation at submission.
Reporting Guidelines
Use CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE, ARRIVE, or other recognized guidelines appropriate to study design and include completed checklists when applicable.
Data and Code
Include a data availability statement and share code or protocols when possible to support reproducibility.
Preprints
Disclose any preprint posting at submission and update the record after publication to link to the final article.
Conflicts and Funding
Provide complete disclosures for financial relationships, study sponsors, and medical writing support.
