A study by a Japanese research group that reported that deaths from certain types of cancer increased in Japan in 2021 and 2022 compared to a downward trend for several years (1) has been reviewed by the editors of the scientific journal Cureus. It was withdrawn. (2).
In what was formerly called an “expression of concern” (in scientific publications, an “expression of concern” is a notice from a publisher against a particular publication, warning that it may contain errors or be unreliable in any way, ed.) it stated the following:
“The editors have been made aware of several concerns regarding the scientific credibility of this article.”
The main inspiration for this withdrawal appears to have been incorrect fact checking. From Reuters News AgencyThis fact check is incorrect because it has verified facts that were not included in the post at all. described (3). This fact checker failed to disclose any (apparent) conflict of interest (4).
The sole reason for this withdrawal is now described as follows:
“After post-publication review, it was determined that the relationship between mortality rates and vaccination status could not be demonstrated by the data presented in this article.” :“After post-publication review, it was determined that the relationship between mortality rates and vaccination status could not be demonstrated by the data presented in this article.”
This reason for withdrawal is illogical for two reasons. First, the journal did not ask for this evidence, and second, we have known since Karl Popper that scientific theories can never be “proved,” only “refuted.” By this argument, all related or experimental publications in Cureus should be withdrawn.
Cureus editors also do not provide a review report on which to base their decision. Authors therefore differ. This withdrawal and wrote a wide-ranging “refutation”. (Rebuttal, a form of evidence presented to contradict or invalidate other evidence presented by the opposing party, ed.) (3). The opinions of the original reviewers who previously accepted the article would be a welcome addition to this re-review.
A full description of the deployment and withdrawal process could in itself become a valuable and interesting academic study, which could still have a “happy ending” if the withdrawal is reversed.
a The Japanese version of this publication is in the Japanese medical journal Medical Journal Rinsho Hyoka. (Clinical Evaluation) Appeared on July 1, 2024, and will add the above evaluation to Article (4).
References
- Jibo M, Kojima S, Fujisawa A, et al (April 8, 2024) Increased age-adjusted cancer mortality after the third dose of mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Cureus 16(4): e57860. doi:10.7759/cureus.57860 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11077472/
- Jibo M, Kojima S, Fujisawa A, et al (26 June 2024) Regression: increased age-adjusted cancer mortality after the third dose of mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Cureus 16(6): r143. doi:10.7759/cureus.r143.
- Jibo M, Kojima S, Fujisawa A, et al. Response to Notice of Intent to Withdraw doi_10.7759cureus.57860 https://note.com/kochidoctors459/n/nbeb8fc5c36ccs
- Kampf, J. (2022). Fact-checkers must declare conflicts of interest. BMJ 2022;376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o399 (Published 21 February 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o399
- Clinical Evaluation 52(1) 2024.
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