Authors Instructions
The GECP Lung Cancer & Clinical Research Journal is the scientific publication of the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (GECP). It is an online, four-monthly, and open-access journal that publishes original articles related to oncology, the development of protocols, and new lines of research, particularly in the field of lung cancer.
The journal will consider contributions in the following sections:
– Original articles
– Clinical cases
– Review articles
Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s new electronic editorial system at: publisher.GECPLC&CRJournal.permanyer.com. First, the corresponding author must register as an author. Once registered, they may upload their files to the system following the instructions provided.
To avoid duplications in the system, please refrain from creating a new submission when resending your modified files. You must continue using the same reference until your manuscript completes the editorial process.
All articles must include, without exception:
- A cover letter. You may download the template here.
- Front page. You may download the template here.
- Full title and short title, in Spanish and English.
- First and last name(s) of each author (without titles or positions) and ORCID number.
- Institutional affiliations.
- Name and current address of the corresponding author.
- Funding, conflicts of interest, ethical considerations
- Full text, tables, and figures. Texts must be in Word format. Manuscripts must be properly written in either Spanish or English. The text must be double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt font, with each section starting on a new page: title page, abstracts in Spanish and English with keywords, main text, references, tables, and figure captions. Pages should be numbered consecutively starting from the title page, with numbers in the top corner.
The main manuscript file must be fully anonymous and must include an abstract in both Spanish and English, the article body, references, tables, and figure captions.
To facilitate reading, it is recommended to divide content using appropriate subheadings. Suggested structures:
b) Clinical cases: introduction, clinical case, discussion, references
It is recommended to consult the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals:
http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/manuscript-preparation/preparing-for-submission.html
Spanish Abstract
Must be no longer than 200 words, indicating the research purpose, basic procedures (sample selection, analytical/observational methods), key findings (specific data and, if possible, statistical significance), and relevant conclusions and originality of the research.
For original articles, the abstract should be structured: Background, Objective, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Add 3–6 keywords at the end, preferably using terms from the latest edition of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).
Abstracts for review articles should not be structured.
The abstracts for clinical cases must be divided into: Introduction, Case presentation, Discussion, Conclusion.
English Abstract
Should also be a maximum of 200 words and follow the same structure as the Spanish abstract (Background, Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion), starting with the English title. Add 3–6 keywords. It is recommended this section be reviewed by an experienced translator to ensure quality.
Introduction
Should include background, problem statement, and study objective, with appropriate bibliographic support.
Methods
Clearly state sample characteristics and methods with references, detailed enough to allow replication. Mention statistical methods and ethical procedures followed (animal use, patient consent, data confidentiality, ethics committee approval, etc.).
Results
Include only key findings, supplemented with figures or graphs when necessary. Avoid repeating data in both text and tables/figures.
Discussion
Compare findings with existing literature and study objectives/hypotheses.
Conclusions
Summarize the main findings. If preliminary, suggest future studies. Conclusions must align with the objectives and stem from the conducted research.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledge individuals, institutions, and funding. This section should appear on the title page to keep the main manuscript anonymous.
References
Follow the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals. Use Arabic numerals in the order of first appearance. In text, tables, and figure captions, cite with corresponding numbers. For more than 6 authors, list the first six followed by et al. For 6 or fewer, list all authors.
Examples:
Tables
In editable format, double-spaced, consecutively numbered with Roman numerals. Titles go on top; abbreviations and explanatory notes below. Include tables at the end of the manuscript after the references.
All tables must be cited in the text.
Figures
Captions must be double-spaced. The caption should contain all necessary information to interpret the figure correctly without referring to the main text. Figures must be cited in the text in sequential order.
- Graphs, plots, and drawings must be created using high-resolution graphic software (JPG, TIFF, EPS, PowerPoint, or Illustrator). All illustrations must be original. Otherwise, the source must be cited, and the author must obtain prior permission from the corresponding publisher.
- Figures must not duplicate information already presented in the text. Photographs of objects must include a scale for reference measurements. Microphotographs must include magnification or a micrometer scale bar. Names, faces, patient data, or any identifiable features must not appear in the figures.
- Authors are encouraged to include color illustrations to enhance the text.
Ethical considerations
Regarding potential conflicts of interest, subjects’ rights to privacy and confidentiality, and the rights of human and animal research subjects, the journal adheres to the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication, in its most recent version published by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), available at http://www.icmje.org.
A copy of the informed consent will be requested for studies involving patients and clinical cases, as well as approval from the institution’s Ethics Committee for clinical and experimental studies.
Research involving humans must comply with the ethical principles of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, JAMA 2000; 284:3043–5), the guidelines issued by the Mexican Ministry of Health on January 26, 1982, and the ethical standards of the Ethics and Research Committee of the institution where the original work was conducted.
Animal studies must follow similar guidelines (Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1996).
With respect to data confidentiality, authors must state how participants’ anonymity and the privacy of their information have been protected.
Funding
Authors must list all organizations funding the research, including grant numbers if applicable.
Conflict of interest
Authors must declare any financial or personal relationships that could be seen as conflicts of interest.
To promote transparency and research quality, authors will be asked to self-evaluate adherence to the relevant international guidelines, according to the type of study:
- Clinical trials: CONSORT (consort-statement.org). Additionally, all clinical trials must be registered in one of the international databases, and the corresponding registration number must always be provided.
- Observational studies: STROBE (strobe-statement.org)
- Diagnostic studies: STARD (equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/stard)
- Others: See EQUATOR
- Protocols must be registered in the corresponding portal and the author must provide the registry number.
TYPES OF ARTICLES
Original Article
Research papers on lung cancer and related topics. Recommended study designs include analytical studies such as case-control studies, cohort studies, and controlled trials. It is recommended that the number of authors not exceed 10; if exceeded, corporate authorship may be authorized upon justification to the Editorial Committee. The maximum length is 4,000 words, with up to 6 figures or 6 tables, and 3 videos. Around 40 references are recommended.
Clinical case
Describes one or more clinical cases of exceptional interest that contribute new knowledge to a particular pathology. Recommended maximum of 6 authors. Maximum length of 1,000 words, with up to 2 figures, 2 tables, and 1 video. Around 15 references are recommended. For transparency and quality, authors must self-evaluate adherence to the CARE guideline (https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/care/guidelines/care/).
Scientific Letter
Covers clinical observations from patients, experiences, or results that are not substantial enough for a full original article but are still of interest to the scientific community. Maximum length is 700 words, with up to 1 figure and 1 table. A maximum of 10 references is allowed. If the letter includes a clinical case, authors must also self-evaluate adherence to the CARE guideline for scientific transparency and quality (https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/care/).
Review Article
An up-to-date overview of a specific topic relevant to the field. Recommended maximum of 10 authors. Maximum length is 4,000 words and 40 references, with up to 6 figures or 6 tables, and 3 videos.
COPYRIGHT
Submitted manuscripts must be accompanied by a signed letter from all authors stating that the work has not been previously published or submitted elsewhere, that there is no conflict of interest, and that, if accepted, copyright is transferred to the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (GECP).
EDITORIAL PROCESS
The editorial process consists of 6 stages:
Reception of the manuscript (indeterminate, depending on whether the author meets the requirements): its objective is to verify that the manuscript complies with the specifications of these instructions for authors and that the submitted documentation is complete.
Initial editorial review (maximum 5 business days): its objective is to corroborate the relevance, timeliness, originality, and scientific contribution of the manuscript, as well as the methodological and statistical soundness of the study. At this time, it will be submitted to an electronic plagiarism detection system. Derived from this, a rejected opinion may be obtained, or it will be sent for review by peer researchers.
Review by peer researchers (maximum 30 business days): the opinion of at least two experts in the area in question will be obtained, who will evaluate the technical and methodological aspects of the investigation.
Editorial review (maximum 7 business days): its objective is to make a decision based on the opinion of peer reviewers. The opinion can be rejected, major changes, minor changes or accepted. In the case of major or minor changes, it will be submitted again for evaluation by the initial peer reviewers.
Final edition (6 weeks): its objective is the technical and linguistic edition (and translation), layout of galleys, DOI assignment, and correction by the author.
Advanced publication: All manuscripts will be published ahead of print on the journal’s website as soon as they complete the editing process, until they are incorporated into a final issue of the journal.
PRINT PROOFS (PDF) OF ACCEPTED ARTICLES
The corresponding author will receive proofs of the article for revision and correction of terminology errors, or any other updates related to facts/figures. As the article will already have been edited according to the journal’s internal editorial guidelines, style corrections will not be accepted. The corresponding author will receive an email with the article in PDF format, on which they can leave their comments. Authors will need to have Adobe Reader (version 9, or a later version), downloadable for free). For other system requirements, please visit the Adobe website.
Alternatively, authors may list their corrections and submit them via email. Any major changes at this stage will be subject to the approval of the Editor. Authors should make sure to include all changes in a single email, as we cannot guarantee the inclusion of subsequent corrections.
The proof review is the responsibility of the author.
Relevant links
