KAPOSIS-SARCOMA, VASCULAR-PERMEABILITY, AND SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

On March 13, 1992, Nakamura et al published an article in the journal Science reporting that sulfated polysaccharide peptidoglycan (SP-PG) i nhibited the growth and vascular hyperpermeability characteristics of Kaposi's sarcoma-related cells and lesions in nude mice. While examini ng their key composite Fig 3, A through E, and related Table 2, we wer e surprised by several photographic features and other irregularities in the figures, which we explored further through a series of experime nts. We were unable to confirm some of the pivotal findings. We commun icated our concerns to Science but our letter was rejected. After subm ission of additional analysis, the matter was reopened by Science, but again our correspondence was rejected. Despite extensive review, the salient points raised in our initial correspondence remain unanswered or only tangentially addressed. The original conclusions by Nakamura e t al are still not only highly dubious, but the validity of the peer r eview process and self-correcting nature of scientific inquiry are als o called into question.