Heart studies under fire for allegedly manipulating data
Three medical journals are investigating possible manipulation of data in heart studies led by researchers from Temple University that found favorable health impacts of blood thinners.
The Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology and the Journal of Biological Chemistry, are investigating five papers, Reuters reported. In addition, the Journal of American College of Cardiology (JACC) retracted a paper in August from Temple researchers that determined Xarelto, a commonly-used blood thinner manufactured by the Janssen Pharmaceuticals division of Johnson & Johnson, “could have a healing effect on hearts,” according to Reuters. JACC retracted the paper after a complaint from a reader, finding evidence of manipulation in seven images.
The investigations and retraction come after Temple began its own inquiry into the papers last year at the behest of the U.S. Office of Research Integrity (ORI), which oversees federally-funded research. In total, the investigation includes 15 papers from Temple between 2008 and 2020 that were supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, Temple did not disclose to the journals it was conducting an investigation at the request of the ORI, and the journals launched their own investigations independently, Reuters noted.
Of the studies under fire, nine were supervised by Abdel Karim Sabri, professor at the school’s Cardiovascular Research Center. Another notable name, Steven Houser, senior associate dean of research at Temple and former president of the American Heart Association, is listed as an author of five of the studies supervised by Sabri and as author on another four papers under scrutiny.
Houser launched his own lawsuit against Temple to stop the investigations.
He "has not engaged in scientific or other misconduct, has not falsified data, and has not participated in any bad acts with any other scientist or academic,” Christopher Ezold, Houser’s lawyer, told Reuters.
Researchers and institutions that receive federal funding for research projects can be forced to return the funds if the work is tainted by data manipulation. According to Reuters, Houser has received nearly $40 million in NIH funding, while Sabri has received close to $10 million since 2000.
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Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."