Authors Pitroda and Weichselbaum defend clinical relevance of pre-clinical findings

S.P. Pitroda and R.R. Weichselbaum submitted a Matters Arising rebuttal to a recent Nature article, stressing that pre-clinical results must be interpreted within a clinical framework.

They explain that although the original study listed many contributors, the correspondence is limited to the two authors who are most qualified to address translational questions. The reply provides a comprehensive conflict-of-interest statement: Weichselbaum holds equity and advisory positions with several biotech firms and has received research funding from both industry and NIH, while Pitroda has secured grants from lung-focused foundations.

Both are co-founders of PersonaDx and have multiple patents pending, including one on amphiregulin’s role in radiation response. Their disclosures also list consulting work and travel reimbursements from major pharmaceutical companies. The authors conclude that their expertise positions them to clarify the clinical significance of the pre-clinical data presented in the original work.