Investigation finds I-ELCAP compliant with federal guidelines protecting human research subjects
January 26, 2012 - New York, NY - Dr. Claudia Henschke, a principal investigator with the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), today issued the following statement in response to positive results of an investigation conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) into the protection of human research subjects participating in the I-ELCAP screening research program, announced by OHPR here:
"I am pleased yet not surprised by the results of OHRP’s investigation which found that, ‘indications of noncompliance were unproven.’ For years, select members of the news media have misrepresented, mischaracterized and inaccurately portrayed I-ELCAP and our lung cancer screening research. The results of the OHRP not only further validate our work and study design but send a strong signal that it is time to refocus attention on the real issue at hand: saving the lives of patients with lung cancer. We are on the cusp of drastically improving the way this cancer is diagnosed and treated in this country. For the first time, those at high-risk for lung cancer now have the option to use CT screening to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable and curable stage. More than ever, our nation must remain dedicated to basic research while addressing the new challenge of implementing responsible guidelines and best practices for diagnosing and treating lung cancer. I am hopeful that the results of the OHRP will put to rest any outstanding questions about our work so that we can, without distraction, continue to research new information about the most deadly and costly cancer in America, a disease that kills 437 people every day."
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