Publishing in Cancer Research
Authors: George C. Prendergast
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

As outlined in my opening editorial earlier this year (1), future goals sought for Cancer Research mean that expectations for the type of work published in the journal are changing. Going forward, several important factors will be weighed more heavily than they have been in the past in considering a study for publication. Guidelines for submission and publication have also changed. It is important that authors understand these changes to develop an appreciation of the new editorial expectations for submitted research reports, several of the most important of which are discussed in detail below.First, the most important factor considered by the editorial team is now the breadth of impact of a study. For example, is the significance of the study suitably broad in impact that it warrants communication to the wide-ranging and diverse audience reached by the journal? This factor is now the most important question authors should consider when submitting to Cancer Research. Lower impact scores will be assigned to studies that may represent a key advance to a specific field, in contrast to the field as a whole. Here, both new concepts and new findings that connect fields are considered. Rapid turnaround will occur at this first level of editorial consideration where triage decisions are made. Triaged papers that report advances thought to be important to a specific field may be routed by the Editor-in-Chief or a Senior Editor to the Editor-in-Chief of one or more of the five other AACR journals for possible consideration. In this manner, the journal seeks to maximize opportunities for authors in gaining a perspective on their work by a large number of established experts, especially when compared to non-AACR journals in the field.Second, to encourage submission of the broader work desired, new guidelines have been adopted that will allow authors to submit papers with a greater number of figures and an additional number of figure panels. Also, the requirements for image quality in figures have been modified. All authors should review the author guidelines (http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/misc/ifora.shtml) to become familiar with the new expectations for submitted papers. In terms of scope, basic science is welcomed but all authors should be aware of the general slant of the journal toward pathobiological impact and preclinical translational impact—in the latter case, those advances that may inform clinical development of work and ideas that can generate progress in the personal, medical, and societal problems posed by cancer.Third, a clear and concise text that is accessible to the diverse readership of Cancer Research is expected. In particular, the importance of the problem addressed and the relevance of the advance that is reported must be clear in the abstract to the broadest audience possible. An incisive rather than general text is desired on these issues in the abstract, so that the reason for the work can be understood by the wide range of members in the field of cancer research. Highly technical issues must be distilled for the field as a whole, so that significance and impact can be appreciated. In these sections, highly technical information and syntax that obscure broader understanding is discouraged. Given the major importance of an abstract in conveying impact and significance, papers with poorly composed abstracts that only enumerate technical findings will be returned without review. As Editor-in-Chief since the beginning of this year, I have been editing the title, abstract, and précis of all new papers that are accepted or accepted pending revision. The desired style can be readily accessed by examining the journal content that has been published since January, 2010. Going forward, the journal's Senior Editors and Editorial Board Members will be encouraged to suggest similar specific changes to these elements to increase clarity of impact and significance. In every case, authors will have the opportunity to review the suggested changes. By seeking a clearer exposition of the work published, the journal seeks to promote the widest understanding and appreciation possible of our authors' work.