Clinical trial chiefs more likely tied to industry

Cancer researchers who have the greatest ability to influence research are also the researchers with the greatest financial ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, according to a report released today. In a study, researchers found that cancer researchers who design clinical trials, analyze or interpret the data, or play other key scientific roles are four times more likely to have financial ties to industry than their counterparts who have lesser roles in these studies, such as recruiting study subjects or collecting the data. Taking the lead role in conception and design, analysis and interpretation, or drafting the manuscript, affords substantial influence over the outcome of the study or the way the results are presented, Dr. Steven Joffe of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston and colleagues note in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Their findings stem from a look back at 235 drug trials published between January 2006 and June 2007 in the journal, which is the official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.