I read with interest the letter from Larry Weisenthal, MD, PhD, on “Platinum-Based Treatment of Triple-Negtive Breast Cancer,” which appeared in the October 15 issue of The ASCO Post. Dr. Weisenthal seems to be suggesting that an article in the September issue, regarding a Best of ASCO presentation by Melinda L. Telli, MD, supports (in opposition, by the way, to current ASCO guidelines) the routine clinical application of chemosensitivity assays. I don’t really think Dr. Telli was saying that.
That point aside, the reason I am writing is that Dr. Weisenthal reported “no potential conflicts of interest” with the publication of his letter. On further research it appears that Dr. Weisenthal makes his living selling chemosensitivity assays; most people would identify that as a conflict of interest. ■
—Joseph Mason, Jr, MD
San Jose, California
