Breaking Resistance, Shaping the Future: Cancer Drug Resistance Launches Its 8th Anniversary Scientific Series with a Special Message from Editor-in-Chief Prof. Godefridus J. Peters

Editor's Note
Breaking Resistance, Shaping the Future is the official scientific initiative commemorating the 8th anniversary of Cancer Drug Resistance (CDR). Through expert interviews, webinars, scientific forums, and collaborative discussions, the series aims to advance global efforts to understand and overcome cancer drug resistance while fostering innovation across basic, translational, and clinical research.

As CDR marks its eighth anniversary in 2026, the journal is proud to launch Breaking Resistance, Shaping the Future, a new scientific initiative designed to foster global dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in cancer drug resistance research.

The launch of the series is marked by a special video address from CDR Editor-in-Chief Prof. Godefridus J. Peters, who reflects on the journal's journey over the past eight years and shares his vision for the future of the field.

A Milestone and a New Beginning

Since its establishment in 2018, Cancer Drug Resistance has been dedicated to advancing understanding of one of the most pressing challenges in modern oncology: why cancers develop resistance to therapy and how such resistance can be overcome.
Over the past eight years, the journal has published research spanning fundamental mechanisms, translational discoveries, and clinical advances, contributing to a growing body of knowledge aimed at improving therapeutic outcomes for patients worldwide.
Yet the anniversary is more than an opportunity to look back. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Conceived as a long-term academic platform, Breaking Resistance, Shaping the Future will serve as the journal's flagship scientific initiative over the coming years, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and emerging investigators from around the world to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities in cancer drug resistance research.

Breaking Resistance, Shaping the Future

The theme reflects both the central challenge and the collective aspiration of the field.
Cancer drug resistance remains one of the greatest barriers to effective cancer treatment. Despite remarkable advances in precision medicine, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and biomarker-driven approaches, resistance continues to limit long-term therapeutic success for many patients.
At the same time, the study of resistance mechanisms has become one of the most dynamic areas of oncology research, generating new biological insights and revealing novel therapeutic opportunities.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Peters highlighted this dual perspective:

“Cancer drug resistance remains one of the most critical barriers in oncology—yet it is also where some of the most exciting scientific opportunities emerge.”

He further explained the meaning behind the anniversary theme:

“To break resistance means to overcome biological barriers that limit the effectiveness of cancer therapies. To shape the future means to transform these discoveries into new strategies that improve patient outcomes and redefine cancer treatment.”

The theme therefore represents both a scientific mission and a forward-looking vision: overcoming the barriers that hinder effective treatment while translating discoveries into innovations that improve patient care.

A Global Platform for Scientific Exchange

Throughout the anniversary series, CDR will organize a diverse range of academic activities designed to encourage knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary collaboration across the global cancer research community.

Planned activities include:

• Expert Interview Series featuring Editorial Board members, leading researchers, and promising early-career scientists from around the world;
• Scientific webinars highlighting emerging discoveries and technologies;
• International symposia and thematic forums addressing major challenges in cancer research;
• Roundtable discussions promoting cross-disciplinary dialogue;
• Scholar salons and networking events supporting early-career researchers;
• Special scientific discussions focused on rapidly evolving topics in cancer drug resistance.

Rather than a single commemorative event, the initiative is envisioned as an ongoing scientific platform that will continue to expand opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and academic exchange well beyond the journal's eighth anniversary year.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the journal's mission, Prof. Peters noted:

“Over the past eight years, Cancer Drug Resistance has been committed to advancing our understanding of cancer drug resistance and translating scientific discoveries into better therapeutic strategies across basic, translational, and clinical research.”

Looking to the future, he reaffirmed the journal's commitment to strengthening its role within the international research community:

“We aim to further strengthen this platform as a global forum for innovation, collaboration, and scientific exchange in this rapidly evolving field.”

As cancer research enters an era increasingly shaped by precision medicine, interdisciplinary collaboration, and rapid technological innovation, CDR hopes that Breaking Resistance, Shaping the Future will provide a platform where new ideas emerge, partnerships are formed, and future breakthroughs begin.
Prof. Peters concluded his message with an invitation to the global scientific community:

“I warmly invite researchers, clinicians, and early-career scientists from around the world to join us in this series, and to be part of the next chapter in advancing cancer research.”

Eight years represent an important milestone. More importantly, they mark the beginning of a new journey.
Together, we break resistance. Together, we shape the future.

Editor: Louise Pan
Language Editor: Amir Khan
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Cancer Drug Resistance