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BBC News Online: Health

Friday, 10 March, 2000, 15:14 GMT

Researcher 'faked breast cancer results'

A scientist who claimed to have evidence of a treatment for high-risk breast cancer patients faked the results.

Professor Werner Bezwoda claimed he had proof that high-dose chemotherapy, combined with blood cell treatment, could improve survival rates - the first time the scientific community had come up with such results.

This misconduct is by an individual, not an institution
Peter Cleaton-Jones, Witwatersand University

But following an investigation of his findings at the university of Witwatersand by US oncologists, Professor Bezwoda admitted he had committed "a serious breach of scientific honesty and integrity", the Lancet medical journal reports.

He has now been sacked by the university.

The team of US investigators found a series of disparities between data the professor presented at two international meetings in 1999 and information held at the South Africa university:

The published work claimed 154 patients had been involved in the study - but only 58 records were available to be investigated
Of those 58 patients, at least nine did not meet the criteria for the study
At least seven additional patients died of advanced cancer, on top of the eight deaths reported by Professor Bezwoda
There was no record of signed consent or approval for carrying out the therapy

The investigators therefore concluded that the study should not be used as the basis for further trials of the treatment, which is extremely controversial among oncologists.

Colleagues

The part played by Professor Bezwoda's colleagues at the university is questioned in an editorial in the Lancet by editor Richard Horton. He called for an international register of trials so they can be monitored more closely.

Jonas Bergh, of the Karolinka Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden, said the scandal requires a re-think of the use of high-dose chemotherapy. Treatment should be tailored to the individual woman, he said.

Peter Cleaton-Jones, of Witwatersand University's research committee, said: "Reaction from bodies concerned with cancer treatment in South Africa and overseas have been supportive of the university's prompt and open response.

"This misconduct is by an individual, not an institution. To alleviate the concerns of postgraduate students working in Bezowda's laboratory, the university has appointed new supervisors."

He admitted a shake up of ethical policies to research within the university was required.

Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity in the UK, said: "We are extremely concerned by this case. These actions amount to a betrayal of trust.

"It is not only offensive to the scientific and medical communities but towards women with breast cancer."

Related to this story:
Battle rages over breast cancer treatment (10 Mar 00 | Health)
Revolutionary cancer drug arrives in UK (02 Nov 99 | Health)
The future of cancer treatment (04 Jan 00 | Medical notes)
Breast cancer danger 'same with HRT' (04 Feb 00 | Health)
Young breast cancer patients 'need drugs' (18 Feb 00 | Health)
Short wait for breast cancer patients (17 Dec 99 | Health)
Microwave hope for breast cancer (25 Nov 99 | Health)
Breast cancer drug shows great promise (16 Sep 99 | Health)
Breast cancer tests 'flawed' (13 Sep 99 | Health)

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Health Contents: Medical notes | Background Briefings |