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2006 Study of CT Screening for Lung Cancer Supported by Tobacco Money

A study advocating annual screening for lung cancer with spiral computed tomography was sponsored by a tobacco company, the New York Times reports.

The study, published Oct. 26, 2006, in the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that the screening was "highly cost-effective." Commentators at the time expressed skepticism.

NEJM's editor expressed surprise at the connection, telling the Times that in his tenure the journal has "never knowingly published" tobacco-supported research.

The Times reports that the authors' foundation received some $3.6 million from the parent company of the Liggett Group, a cigarette maker. According to the Times, the authors' institution holds or is applying for patents related to the screening and follow-up — itself the subject of a late disclosure online in JAMA this week.

The authors deny any attempt to conceal the source of the funding, the Times reports, and say that their foundation no longer accepts tobacco-industry grants.

LINK(S):

New York Times story (One-time registration required)

NEJM study (Free)

JAMA disclosure (Free)

Journal Watch General Medicine 2006 coverage (Free)

Physician's First Watch 2006 coverage (Free)

Published in Physician's First Watch March 27, 2008