In June 2026, Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729) achieved new CiteScore (6.1) and Impact Factor (3.6) milestones, including its fourth consecutive year of Impact Factor growth and a rise from Q2 to Q1 in the “Oncology” category based on CiteScore rankings.

To mark these achievements, we are pleased to interview the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Shahid Ahmed, to discuss the journal’s development, the evolving landscape of oncology research, and his vision for the years ahead.

Prof. Dr. Shahid Ahmed, MD, PhD, is a medical oncologist and professor of oncology at the University of Saskatchewan. He serves as Medical Director Academic at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Interim Provincial Head of the Department of Oncology, College of Medicine. His clinical and research expertise includes breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, clinical trials, and population health science.

Prof. Dr. Ahmed has led and contributed to numerous clinical trials and population-based studies focused on improving cancer outcomes, access to care, and treatment delivery. He has contributed to more than 130 peer-reviewed articles and is actively involved in provincial, national, and international committees related to cancer care, research, and education. He is also deeply committed to medical education and mentorship, with long-standing involvement in undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development activities, including work with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Shahid Ahmed, who shared his vision for the journal with us, in addition to his views on the research area and open access publishing:

1. Current Oncology has recently reached several important milestones, including its fourth consecutive year of Impact Factor growth and a rise from Q2 to Q1 in the “Oncology” category based on CiteScore rankings. As Editor-in-Chief since 2023, how do you reflect on the journal’s progress over the past few years? In your view, what have been the key factors driving the journal's continued growth and increasing impact?

It is very encouraging to see Current Oncology’s steady progress over the past few years. The continued growth in Impact Factor and the move into Q1 are important milestones but, more importantly, they reflect the increasing trust of the oncology community in the journal. Since becoming Editor-in-Chief in 2023, my primary focus has been on maintaining and further strengthening the quality of the journal through a rigorous peer-review process. I believe the key factors behind this growth include the publication of scientifically sound and clinically meaningful research, careful editorial oversight, strong support from the Editorial Board Members, Section Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editorial Team, and the dedication of our authors and reviewers. As someone involved in clinical care, I especially value work that connects research findings with meaningful improvements in cancer care.

2. What message would you like to share with the authors, reviewers, and Editorial Board Members who have contributed to the journal's success?

I would like to sincerely thank the authors, reviewers, and Editorial Board Members. A journal can only grow when the community around it is strong and committed. Authors trust us with their work, reviewers give their time and expertise, and Editorial Board Members help guide the journal’s direction. The journal’s progress is a shared achievement. Every thoughtful review, every strong manuscript, and every editorial decision have helped build Current Oncology’s reputation. I am truly grateful for this support and hope we can continue to grow together.

3. What role do you play as Editor-in-Chief in maintaining and promoting research integrity? What key elements do you look for when assessing a manuscript?

As Editor-in-Chief, I see research integrity as one of my most important responsibilities. It is essential that the journal maintains high ethical and scientific standards. This includes careful attention to plagiarism, data reliability, authorship, conflicts of interest, ethical approval, and transparency in reporting. When assessing a manuscript, we look for a clear research question, sound methodology, reliable data, and conclusions that are supported by the results. We also consider originality, clinical relevance, clarity, and whether the work can meaningfully contribute to oncology practice, research, or policy.

4. Generative AI is rapidly transforming both scientific research and scholarly publishing. From your perspective as Editor-in-Chief, what opportunities and challenges does this technology present for researchers, reviewers, and journals?

Generative AI has the potential to be very helpful in research and publishing. It can support literature searches, improve language clarity, help organize ideas, and assist with routine editorial tasks. However, it also creates important challenges. AI can produce inaccurate information, fabricated references, or polished text that may not reflect strong science. There are also concerns about confidentiality, originality, authorship, and accountability. My view is that AI should be used responsibly as a tool, not as a replacement for scientific judgment. Researchers must remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their work.

5. What advice would you offer to early career researchers who are beginning to build their careers in oncology research?

My advice is to focus on asking meaningful questions. Oncology is a fast-moving field, but good research still begins with a clear clinical or scientific problem. Early career researchers should build strong methodological skills, seek good mentors, and learn how to collaborate across disciplines.

I would also encourage them to be patient and persistent. Not every project will succeed, and not every paper will be accepted, but each experience is part of the learning process. Most importantly, they should keep the needs of patients at the center of their work. Research that is thoughtful, ethical, and clinically relevant will always have value.

6. Looking ahead, what emerging trends do you believe will have the greatest impact on oncology research and clinical practice?

Several trends are likely to shape the future of oncology. Precision medicine will continue to expand, especially as genomic and molecular profiling become more widely used. Immunotherapy and combination treatment strategies will also remain important areas of development. I also believe artificial intelligence, liquid biopsy, early detection, real-world evidence, and patient-centered care will have a growing impact. Another important direction is improving access to high-quality cancer care across different regions and populations. Scientific progress is important, but its true value depends on whether it can benefit patients in real clinical settings.

7. Current Oncology is an open access journal. What is your opinion of the open access model of publication? What are your expectations and suggestions for the future development of Current Oncology?

I strongly support the open access model when it is managed responsibly. Oncology research should be accessible to clinicians, researchers, patients, and policymakers, regardless of their institution or location. Open access helps knowledge travel faster and reach a wider audience.

For Current Oncology my expectation is that the journal will continue to improve its quality, visibility, and influence. We should keep attracting strong original research, timely reviews, and clinically meaningful studies. At the same time, we must maintain rigorous peer review, uphold research integrity, and support authors throughout the publication process. My hope is that Current Oncology will continue to grow as a trusted, high-quality open access journal in oncology.

We sincerely thank Prof. Dr. Ahmed for taking the time to share his insights and reflections with us.

As Current Oncology continues to grow and strengthen its position within the global oncology community, we look forward to its continued success under Prof. Dr. Ahmed’s leadership and to supporting the dissemination of high-quality cancer research in the years ahead. We also hope that the perspectives shared in this interview will provide valuable insights and inspiration for researchers, clinicians, and readers across the oncology community.