Financial conflicts of interest amongst abstracts, speakers, and planning committee members at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

Abstract

6635 Background: Financial conflicts of interest (COI) in medical research are an issue under scrutiny due to a potential risk for biased information. The objective of this study was to survey the extent of self-reported financial relationships with industry amongst abstracts, speakers, and planning committee members at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Methods: We used the 2005 and 2006 ASCO meeting program books to tally the total number of abstracts (all types), speakers for education (faculty) and abstract sessions (discussant), as well as planning committee (education and scientific) members (data available only for 2006). The number and nature of financial disclosures were noted. COI categories include: employment, consultant role, stock ownership, honoraria, research funding, expert testimony, or other remuneration. Results are presented as an average over 2 years whenever appropriate. Results: There were approximately 4,396 abstracts presented, 678 speakers, and 301 planners each year. COI were reported in 27%, 46.8%, and 67.4% amongst abstracts presented, speakers, and planners, respectively. Within reported COI, the most common were consultant or advisory role (24.6%), honoraria (21.7%), research funding (21.7%), employment (15.2%), and stock ownership (12.6%). Amongst abstracts with COI, 27.4%, 27.1%, and 45.5% reported 1, 2, or ≥ 3 COI, respectively. Amongst speakers and planners with COI, 35.9%, 38.1%, and 26% reported 1, 2, or ≥ 3 COI, respectively. Notably, COI disclosure was not provided by 14.8% of the speakers on time for the program book publication. Conclusions: Financial COI are prevalent amongst presentations and more so amongst speakers and planners at the ASCO annual meeting. A large proportion of speakers failed to provide disclosure on time. The overwhelming majority of the disclosures were COI other than research funding. While the actual impact of COI on the clinical and research practices of oncologists and researchers cannot be determined from our study, the potential for such influence is significant. No significant financial relationships to disclose.