Independent data monitoring committees: preparing a path for the future.

Hess CN, Roe MT, Gibson CM, Temple RJ, Pencina MJ, Zarin DA, Anstrom KJ, Alexander JH, Sherman RE, Fiedorek FT, Mahaffey KW, Lee KL, Chow SC, Armstrong PW, Califf RM

Am Heart J. 2014 Aug;168(2):135-41.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2014.05.003. Epub 2014 May 15.

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Abstract:

Independent data monitoring committees (IDMCs) were introduced to monitor patient safety and study conduct in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), but certain challenges regarding the utilization of IDMCs have developed. First, the roles and responsibilities of IDMCs are expanding, perhaps due to increasing trial complexity and heterogeneity regarding medical, ethical, legal, regulatory, and financial issues. Second, no standard for IDMC operating procedures exists, and there is uncertainty about who should determine standards and whether standards should vary with trial size and design. Third, considerable variability in communication pathways exist across IDMC interfaces with regulatory agencies, academic coordinating centers, and sponsors. Finally, there has been a substantial increase in the number of RCTs using IDMCs, yet there is no set of qualifications to help guide the training and development of the next generation of IDMC members. Recently, an expert panel of representatives from government, industry, and academia assembled at the Duke Clinical Research Institute to address these challenges and to develop recommendations for the future utilization of IDMCs in RCTs. Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hess CN, Roe MT, Gibson CM, Temple RJ, Pencina MJ, Zarin DA, Anstrom KJ, Alexander JH, Sherman RE, Fiedorek FT, Mahaffey KW, Lee KL, Chow SC, Armstrong PW, Califf RM. Independent data monitoring committees: preparing a path for the future. 
Am Heart J. 2014 Aug;168(2):135-41.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2014.05.003. Epub 2014 May 15.

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