Anil Potti

Anil Potti (born 1972) is a medical oncologist accused of scientific misconduct.

Alleged misconduct

Potti is allegedly guilty of scientific misconduct while a cancer researcher at Duke University Medical Center and Duke University School of Medicine. As of December 2011, seven scientific papers authored by Potti have been retracted.[1] Potti's work focused on oncogenomics.

A scientific misconduct investigation is ongoing.[2] He is alleged to have falsified data regarding the use of microarray genetic analysis for personalized cancer treatment, which was published in various prestigious scientific journals. While there were questions concerning Potti's work beginning in 2007, notably from Keith Baggerly and Kevin Coombes at MD Anderson Cancer Center, in 2010 more widespread scrutiny was raised when it was discovered that Potti had claimed on his curriculum vita that he had been a "Rhodes Scholar (Australian Board)".[3] Potti has stated that he intended to refer to the Association of Rhodes Scholars in Australia Scholarships.[4]

Three clinical trials at Duke University Medical Center based on Potti's research came under scrutiny in 2009 and were temporarily suspended. The trials were permanently stopped in 2010.[5] Two civil lawsuits were filed in 2011 by patients enrolled in these trials claiming negligence.[6][7] Potti's medical license record with the North Carolina Medical Board shows eleven settlements each of at least $75,000 for incidents that appear to be related to these trials.[8][9][10]

In late 2011, Potti was reprimanded by the North Carolina Medical Board,[11] but retains his medical license and practices at the Coastal Cancer Center in South Carolina.[12][13] The medical board based its disciplinary action against Potti on a misfounded conclusion that Duke had found the misstatements on Potti's curriculum vitae to be the result of innocent errors.[14]

Potti hired consultants to bowdlerize his online reputation.[15]

References

  1. ^ "New in PNAS: Potti retraction number seven, and a Potti correction « Retraction Watch". Retractionwatch.wordpress.com. 2011-10-05. http://retractionwatch.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/new-in-pnas-potti-retraction-number-seven-and-a-potti-correction/. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  2. ^ . http://www.economist.com/node/21528593. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  3. ^ Singer, Natasha (2010-07-20). "Duke Scientist Suspended Over Rhodes Scholarship Claim". NYTimes.com. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/health/research/21cancer.html. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  4. ^ "Rhodes scholars - Research Grants and Contracts". Research.unimelb.edu.au. http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/rgc/grants/find/schemes/uom/rhodes_scholars. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  5. ^ http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110111/full/469139a.html
  6. ^ "Duke sued over clinical trials | abc11.com". Abclocal.go.com. 2011-09-08. http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/abc11_investigates&id=8346506. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  7. ^ . http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/15553581/article-Second-lawsuit-filed-against-Duke-for-Potti%E2%80%99s-research?instance=homethirdleft. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  8. ^ North Carolina Medical Board Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  9. ^ "Payouts mount for ex-Duke doc for malpractice - Triangle Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. 2011-03-13. http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/print-edition/2011/12/30/payouts-mount-for-ex-duke-doc-for.html. Retrieved 2011-12-30. 
  10. ^ http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/10553809/
  11. ^ "Anil Potti reprimanded by North Carolina state medical board, as lawsuit settlements surface « Retraction Watch". Retractionwatch.wordpress.com. http://retractionwatch.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/anil-potti-reprimanded-by-north-carolina-state-medical-board-as-lawsuit-settlements-surface/. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  12. ^ "Anil Potti resurfaces at South Carolina cancer center « Retraction Watch". Retractionwatch.wordpress.com. http://retractionwatch.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/anil-potti-resurfaces-at-south-carolina-cancer-center/. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  13. ^ "Coastal Cancer Center". Coastal Cancer Center. http://coastalcancercenter.com/your-team/anil-potti-md/. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  14. ^ "Duke challenges Potti reprimand wording". The Herald-Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/16835284/article-Duke-challenges-Potti-reprimand-wording. Retrieved 2011-12-26. 
  15. ^ "Potti hires online reputation manager | The Chronicle". Dukechronicle.com. 2011-04-14. http://dukechronicle.com/article/potti-hires-online-reputation-manager. Retrieved 2011-12-26.