The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), a program of ACOG, is one of 12
cooperative groups conducting clinical trials supported by the Nationa
l Cancer Institute. Recently, an occurrence of research fraud was foun
d in one of the other cooperative groups. The GOG maintains a quality
assessment and assurance program that includes three primary functions
: Original source documentation is examined to verify accuracy of trea
tment modalities, all protocols are regularly scrutinized for consiste
ncy and validity, and regular on-site audits are conducted at all inst
itutions. The group endeavors to reassure physicians and their patient
s that research fraud is not rampant in the cooperative group system a
nd that data published by the cooperative groups are reliable.