Peer Review

Peer-review process and policy

Peer Review model

Cancer Biome and Targeted Therapy uses a single-blind peer review model. In this system, reviewers remain anonymous to authors, and reviewers know the authors’ identities. All submissions are evaluated based on scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, ethical standards, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

Editorial Assessment and Peer Review Process

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment by the editorial office to evaluate:

  • Compliance with journal formatting and submission requirements
  • Language clarity and scientific presentation
  • Relevance to the journal’s scope
  • Reference quality and completeness
  • Plagiarism screening
  • Image integrity screening

Manuscripts considered suitable for peer review are assigned to an editor with relevant subject expertise. A minimum of two independent reviewer reports is typically required before an editorial decision is made.

Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, publication record, independence, and absence of conflicts of interest. Editorial decisions are based on reviewer evaluations, scientific merit, ethical considerations, and journal standards.

Final editorial decisions are made by the handling editor or Senior Editor responsible for the manuscript.

Editorial Independence and Conflict Management

The journal is committed to maintaining editorial independence, transparency, and fair peer review in accordance with recommendations from COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) and the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors).

Submissions from Senior Editors, Associate Editors, Editorial Board Members, or Guest Editors are handled independently by an editor who is not affiliated with the manuscript. Editors who are authors or co-authors on a submission are excluded from all aspects of peer review, editorial evaluation, and publication decisions for that manuscript.

Review Timelines

The journal aims to complete an initial editorial assessment within 7 days of submission. Following the editor assignment, the initial peer review process is generally completed within approximately 6 weeks, although timelines may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or large language models (LLMs) to generate peer-review reports is prohibited.

Reviewer Suggestions and Exclusions

Authors may recommend up to five potential reviewers during submission. Suggested reviewers should:

  • Possess relevant subject expertise
  • Have no recent collaborations with the authors
  • Be independent of the authors’ institutions
  • Have no identifiable conflicts of interest

For each suggested reviewer, authors should provide:

  • Full name
  • Institutional affiliation
  • Institutional email address
  • ORCID iD when available

Authors may also request the exclusion of up to two individuals from the review process when justified by potential conflicts of interest or competing relationships. Final reviewer selection remains at the sole discretion of the editorial team.

Reviewers Selection Criteria

  • Reviewers are selected based on the following criteria:

    • Demonstrated expertise relevant to the manuscript subject area
    • Appropriate academic, clinical, or scientific qualifications
    • A record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications
    • Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
    • Use of a stable and verifiable professional email address

    Reviewer accounts may be suspended or removed if false credentials, unverifiable identities, or ethical concerns are identified.

Public Peer Review Statement

Cancer Biome and Targeted Therapy is committed to transparent and fair peer review. While reviews remain confidential, we are exploring initiatives to increase transparency over time (e.g., reviewer recognition or published review histories).

Confidentiality

Manuscripts submitted to the journal are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers and editors must not disclose, distribute, or discuss manuscript content outside the peer-review process unless authorized by the editorial office.

Concerns regarding ethics, originality, plagiarism, image manipulation, or data integrity should be reported directly to the editorial office at submissions@cancerbiometherapy.com.

Editors Roles

Senior Editor 

Senior Editors provide overall editorial leadership and oversight for the journal. Their responsibilities include:

  • Defining editorial scope and strategic direction
  • Overseeing editorial standards and publication ethics
  • Managing editorial policy development
  • Handling manuscripts within their areas of expertise
  • Reviewing appeals and ethical matters
  • Approving corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when necessary

Senior Editors operate collaboratively to ensure balanced editorial governance and independent decision-making.

Associate Editors

  • Associate Editors manage the peer-review process for assigned manuscripts within their areas of expertise. Their responsibilities include:

    • Selecting qualified reviewers
    • Evaluating reviewer reports
    • Recommending editorial decisions
    • Ensuring compliance with journal policies and ethical standards
    • Assisting with thematic collections or special topics

Editorial board members

  • Editorial Board Members support the journal by:

    • Providing subject expertise when requested
    • Advising on journal development and emerging research areas
    • Promoting the journal within the scientific community
    • Encouraging high-quality submissions

    Editorial Board Members do not make unilateral publication decisions regarding their own submissions.

Guest Editors

  • Guest Editors may coordinate thematic special issues within the journal’s scope. Their responsibilities may include identifying topic areas and inviting scholarly contributions.

    Guest Editors do not independently manage peer review or make editorial decisions. All manuscripts submitted to special issues are handled through the journal’s standard editorial and peer-review procedures to ensure impartial evaluation and editorial oversight.

Transparency and Peer Review Development

Cancer Biome and Targeted Therapy is committed to maintaining a fair, rigorous, and transparent peer-review process. While peer-review reports remain confidential, the journal may consider future initiatives aimed at recognizing reviewer contributions and improving transparency in scholarly publishing.

Appeals

Authors may submit one formal appeal per manuscript if they believe an editorial decision was based on a significant factual or procedural concern. Appeals are reviewed by a Senior Editor who was not involved in the original editorial decision.

Additional information regarding appeals procedures is available in the journal’s Appeals Policy