Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025
A Combined 3D Tissue Engineered In Vitro/In Silico Lung Tumor Model for Predicting Drug Effectiveness in Specific Mutational Backgrounds
Published on: April 6, 2016
Characterization of industry relationships in oncology
Rebecca A Harrison1, Nazanin K Majd2, Margaret O Johnson3
1Division of Neurology, BC Cancer, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Background:
Collaborative relationships between academic oncology and industry (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, "omic," and medical device companies) are essential for therapeutic development in oncology; however, limited research on engagement in and perceptions of these relationships has been done.
Methods:
Survey questions were developed to evaluate relationships between academic oncology and industry. An electronic survey was delivered to 1000 randomly selected members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a professional organization for oncologists, eliciting respondents' views around oncology-industry collaborations. The responses were analyzed according to prespecified plans.
Results:
There were 225 survey respondents. Most were from the United States (70.0%), worked at an academic institution (60.1%), worked in medical oncology (81.2%), and had an active relationship with industry (85.8%). One quarter (26.7%) of respondents reported difficulty establishing a relationship with industry collaborators, and most respondents (75%) did not report having had mentorship in developing these relationships. The majority (85.3%) of respondents considered these collaborations important to their careers. Respondents generally thought that scientific integrity was preserved (92%), and most respondents (95%) had little concern over the quality of the collaborative product. Many (60%) shared concerns over potential conflict of interest if an individual with a compensated relationship promoted an industry product for clinical care/research, yet most respondents (67%) stated these relationships did not shape their interactions with patients.
Conclusions:
This study provides novel data characterizing the nature of collaborative relationships between clinicians, researchers, and industry in oncology. Although respondents considered these collaborations an important part of clinical and academic oncology, formal education or mentorship around these relationships was rare. Conflicting findings around conflict of interest highlight the importance of more dedicated research in this area.
Plain Language Summary:
Business enterprises in health care play a central role in cancer research and care, driving the development of new medical testing, drugs, and devices. Effective working relationships among clinicians, researchers, and these industry partners can promote innovative research and enhance patient care. Study of these collaborations has been limited to date. Through distribution of a questionnaire to cancer clinicians and researchers, we found that most participants consider these relationships valuable, though they find establishing such relationships challenging partly because of gaps in educational programs in this area. Our findings also highlight the need for further policy around the potential bias these relationships can introduce.
Insights
Academic oncology and industry collaborations are vital for cancer drug development. However, most oncologists lack formal training in these partnerships and face challenges, highlighting a need for more research and policy development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Research
- Pharmaceutical Industry
Background:
- Collaborations between academic oncology and industry are crucial for advancing cancer therapeutics.
- Limited research exists on the engagement and perceptions surrounding these vital relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nature of engagement and perceptions of academic oncology-industry relationships.
- To identify challenges and areas for improvement in these collaborations.
Main Methods:
- An electronic survey was distributed to 1000 randomly selected members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
- Survey responses were analyzed to understand oncologists' views on industry collaborations.
Main Results:
- 225 oncologists responded; 85.8% had active industry relationships.
- 26.7% reported difficulty establishing collaborations, and 75% lacked mentorship.
- Most valued these collaborations (85.3%) and believed scientific integrity was maintained (92%).
- Concerns about conflicts of interest (60%) were noted, but most (67%) felt relationships did not affect patient interactions.
Conclusions:
- Academic oncology-industry collaborations are highly valued but lack formal education and mentorship.
- Further research and policy are needed to address challenges and potential conflicts of interest.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...