Publication Ethics

The Journal of Cancer and Translational Oncology (JCTO) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics, integrity, and transparency in all aspects of scholarly publishing. The journal follows internationally recognized ethical guidelines, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards, to ensure responsible conduct in research and publication.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to the journal must ensure that:

  • The work is original and has not been published previously

  • The manuscript is not under consideration by any other journal

  • All data, results, and clinical findings are reported accurately and honestly

  • Proper acknowledgment and citation of all sources are provided

  • All co-authors have approved the final version of the manuscript

  • Conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed

  • Ethical approval is obtained for studies involving human or animal subjects

  • Patient consent is secured where required for clinical data or images

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts under review

  • Provide objective, constructive, and unbiased evaluations

  • Avoid using unpublished information for personal or professional benefit

  • Declare any conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment

  • Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for ensuring:

  • Fair, unbiased, and independent peer-review processes

  • Confidential handling of all submitted manuscripts

  • Selection of qualified reviewers with appropriate expertise

  • Publication decisions based solely on scientific merit and relevance

  • Prompt action on allegations of ethical misconduct

Research Misconduct

The journal strictly prohibits all forms of research misconduct, including:

  • Plagiarism

  • Data fabrication or falsification

  • Image manipulation or misrepresentation of clinical data

  • Duplicate or redundant publication

  • Improper authorship practices

  • Citation manipulation

All allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Appropriate actions may include rejection, correction, or retraction of published work.

Corrections and Retractions

If errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the journal will issue corrections, clarifications, or retractions as necessary to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Commitment to Integrity

The Journal of Cancer and Translational Oncology is dedicated to ensuring ethical, transparent, and responsible scientific communication that supports the advancement of oncology research and improves global patient care outcomes.