Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40115396›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of methodology2025

Navigating the ethical terrain: Off-label and experimental treatments in medical case reports.

Madhan Jeyaraman, Naveen Jeyaraman, Swaminathan Ramasubramanian, Sangeetha Balaji

Abstract readEditorial
In one paragraph

Article in World journal of methodology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Madhan JeyaramanDepartment of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600077, India. madhanjeyaraman@gmail.com.
Naveen JeyaramanDepartment of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600077, India.
Swaminathan RamasubramanianDepartment of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai 600002, India.
Sangeetha BalajiDepartment of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai 600002, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This article explores the ethical considerations surrounding the reporting of off-label and experimental treatments in medical case reports, with a focus on fields such as oncology, psychiatry, and pediatrics. It emphasizes the balance between innovation and evidence-based medicine, highlighting the critical role of case reports in disseminating clinical experiences and advancing medical knowledge. The discussion delves into the ethical framework guiding case reporting, including principles of patient autonomy, informed consent, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice, and transparency. Challenges such as negative outcome reporting, commercial interests, and the balance between innovation and caution are examined. Recommendations for ethical vigilance, the development of comprehensive guidelines, and the role of regulatory bodies are proposed to ensure patient safety and uphold scientific integrity. The article concludes by underscoring the importance of a collaborative effort among clinicians, researchers, ethicists, and regulatory bodies to foster the responsible advancement of medical science while adhering to the highest ethical standards.

Indexed as

BeneficenceEthical considerationsEvidence-based medicineInformed consentNon-maleficencePatient autonomyTransparency

Identifiers

PMID40115396
PMCPMC11525891

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.