The prevalence and influence of self-reported conflicts of interest by editorial authors of phase III cancer trials.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency with which editorial authors report personal conflict of interest and investigate a possible association between the presence of such conflicts and favorable opinion.


METHODS
Eligible studies were editorials of phase III clinical trials of antitumor drugs or symptom management published from January 2007 to December 2009 in four top oncology journals. Data from the editorials were collected and each editorial opinion was classified as favorable, neutral or unfavorable with respect to the experimental therapy.


RESULTS
Fifty-four editorials were included: 23 (43%) reported at least one conflict of interest, with the most frequent one being consultancy fees. Conclusions of editorial authors were classified as favorable in 18 editorials (33%). Sensitivity analysis found an association between self-reported conflict of interest of the editorial author and editorial favorable opinion (RR:2.7; 95% CI 1.2-6.1; p=0.019).


CONCLUSIONS
Besides the high proportion of conflict of interest among editorial authors discussing phase III clinical trials, study interpretation may be influenced by their financial relationships with industry.
Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil.
Tatiana Goberstein
TG
Lerner
Michele da Costa
Mda C
Miranda
Andrea Thaumaturgo
AT
Lera
Aline
A
Ueda
Bruna
B
Briones
Auro
A
Del Giglio
Rachel
R
Riechelmann
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D035081:Editorial Policies; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents