To mark the 35th anniversary of Annals of Oncology, this interview with Prof. David Kerr, Editor-in-Chief from 2000 to 2009, reflects on the journal's development during a transformative period in oncology.
Prof. Kerr discusses the challenges he faced, the journal’s evolution, and its growing impact on the field. He also shares a memorable moment from his tenure and offers advice for emerging researchers.
How was oncology when you became Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Oncology, and what contributions did the journal make to the field at that time?
When I assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief in 2000, oncology was still largely defined by the use of conventional cytotoxic drugs. However, the field was on the cusp of a transformative era—the biological revolution—that reshaped cancer treatment. This period saw an unprecedented focus on targeted therapies, driven by an evolving understanding of the signal transduction pathways governing cancer cell behaviour.
What major challenges did you face in your role, and how did you address them?
One of the greatest challenges was succeeding Franco Cavalli, who had single-handedly established Annals of Oncology as a respected publication. To build upon his remarkable foundation, we introduced a professional Managing Editor, Dr. Lewis Rowett. Alongside our publishers, we also formed an Associate Editorial Board composed of leading experts across various oncology domains. This team took on dual roles: they reviewed submissions within their specialties and actively encouraged their peers to submit their research to Annals. These strategic changes laid the groundwork for Annals of Oncology to evolve into a top five cancer journal.
Can you share a memorable moment during your tenure that highlights the journal's impact on oncology?
A particularly memorable moment for me was when I chose to publish one of my own large-scale adjuvant colorectal cancer trials in Annals of Oncology rather than in rather than in another well-established journal at the time. With approximately 5,000 patients, it was the largest trial ever published in the journal at that time. This decision underscored the journal’s capability to handle high-impact research and reflected the strong support provided by the editorial team for groundbreaking work.
What advice would you give to emerging researchers who wish to publish in Annals of Oncology?
Stay true to yourself, truer to your data, and truest to the cancer researchers and patients you serve.