In 2022, serious allegations were made against a research team led by Prof Michael Frass, calling into question the veracity of their study, which found that homeopathic treatment improved quality of life in lung cancer patients when provided in addition to conventional care (Frass et al. 2020)1.

In response, the editors of the journal – The Oncologist – undertook a thorough two-year investigation. This investigation has concluded that the study remains valid, and a formal Correction notice has been published to provide clarification on a series of points raised2.

It is gratifying to see that the academic process has been followed fairly and objectively, adhering to official guidelines, giving the authors a formal right of reply to the charges made against them.

As the journal Editors state2, « … the editors issued an Expression of Concern in 2022 after new concerns were raised about the data contained in the article. Additional details not included in the original publication have since been provided by the authors and reviewed by the editors to clarify these concerns. These omissions do not affect the results of this study. »

Given the heightened attention around this study, The Oncologist published an Editorial to accompany publication of the Correction notice, providing further insights into their position3. In this article, the Editors fully acknowledged the difficulties researchers face in completing and publishing oncology clinical trials and stressed the importance of publishing all data – regardless of how unexpected the results might appear – to honour the contributions of the patients.

  1. Frass M, Lechleitner P, Grundling C, Pirker C, Grasmuk-Siegl E, Domayer J, et al. Homeopathic treatment as an add-on therapy may improve quality of life and prolong survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective, randomized, placebocontrolled, double-blind, three-arm, multicenter study. The Oncologist, 2020; 25(12):e1930-e1955 | PubMed
  2. Correction to: Homeopathic Treatment as an Add-On Therapy May Improve Quality of Life and Prolong Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Three-Arm, Multicenter Study. The Oncologist, 2024; oyae253 | Link
  3. Figg WD, Bates SE. Clinical trial results: each patient’s participation should count. The Oncologist, 2024; oyae252 | Link