"Getting Your Protocol Through the IRB"

Transcription

1 "Getting Your Protocol Through the IRB" Human Participant Research at University of Maryland, Baltimore Jon Mark Hirshon, MD, MPH, PhD Senior IRB Vice-Chair

2 Nuremberg Code (1947) First Codification of Research Guidelines The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential. No coercion in informed consent Subjects must be free to stop at any time. Prior animal data Scientific value; Anticipated results justify the risks Favorable risk/benefit ratio Suffering by subjects should be avoided No expectation of death/disability

3 Lessons Learned from Nuremberg Trials Medical Practice Ethics: guided by Hippocratic Oath Patient is silent; dutifully obedient to the beneficent physician Doctor s primary obligation is the patient Doctor acts in the patients best interest Research Lies outside of the context of the physician-patient relationship Primary goal is to test a hypothesis Secondary obligation is to subject Conflict of roles?

4 Tuskegee Syphilis Study ( ) In 1932, medical authorities firmly believed in the efficacy of arsenic therapy for treating syphilis Tuskegee, Alabama High prevalence of syphilis Although treatment existed, blacks in the rural southern town were not receiving treatment Lack of funds/lack of doctors Promiscuous blacks would not seek treatment Study natural course of syphilis Enrolled 400 black males infected with syphilis to study the natural course of syphilis Not an experiment but rather a study in nature

5 Tuskegee Syphilis Study ( ) Ethical Issues Inadequate disclosure of information Subjects believed they were getting free treatment Told that spinal taps were therapy US Gov t actively prevented men from receiving penicillin 1972 press reports caused the U.S. Gov t to stop the study

6 Balancing Two Goals Protection of Subject s Rights & Welfare Advancement of Science

7 Introduction to the Human Research Protections Office (HRPO)

8 Research Review: Nomenclature HRPP: Human Research Protection Program HRPO: Human Research Protection Office OHRP: Office of Human Research Protection AAHRPP: Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs

9 Research Review: Nomenclature A Research Submission to the IRB is NOT.. An IRB

10 DEFINITIONS Medical Practice (IRB is not involved) Interventions designed solely to enhance the well-being of the patient. Provides diagnosis, prevention or therapy with the expectation of a successful outcome. "Experimental" Defined as new, untested or different. An experimental procedure is not automatically categorized as research. A new "experimental" procedure should be formally researched (investigated) to determine if is safe and effective.

11 DEFINITIONS Research (IRB is involved) Activities designed to contribute to generalizable knowledge. Tests a hypothesis and draws conclusions. Research is described in a formal protocol and a set of procedures designed to reach an objective. The line between practice and research is often blurred. Research and practice can occur simultaneously

12 What is a Human Subject? A human subject (participant, volunteer) is a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains: data through intervention or interaction with the individual or identifiable private information From: 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

13 Responsibilities of the IRB and Human Research Protections Program Protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects Determine if Benefit of the research (to the individual or society) exceeds the Risk to the participant (subject, volunteer, patient)

14 Human Research Protection: UMB Model Human Research Protection Program Human Research Protection Office Institutional Review Board

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16 Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) The HRPO is the coordinating office for the Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) The HRPP is a comprehensive system designed to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of subjects in Human Research. HRPO provides support for the Institutional Review Board Oversight of > 2,000 clinical research protocols.

17 HRPO s Mission The mission of our Human Research protection program plan is to protect the rights and welfare of subjects involved in Human Research that is overseen by this organization. Foster a high caliber research culture through the support of investigators

18 Functions of the Human Research Protections Office Review Protocol Transactions New, Amendments, Renewals, Reportable New Information Organize IRB meetings Monitor and Audit investigators to ensure compliance with regulations Educate the research community

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20 What is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)? The group or committee that is given the responsibility by an institution to review research projects involving human subjects. Its primary purposes are to assure the protection of the safety, rights and welfare of the human subjects. determine if Benefit of the research (to the individual or society) exceeds the Risk to the participant (healthy volunteer or patient) By federal law, the group contains both scientific and non-scientific (community) members

21 IRB Leadership James Campbell, Vice Chair, CRTMP Director Jon Mark Hirshon, Senior Vice Chair Robert Rosenthal, Chair Chris DeFilippi, Vice Chair Seth Himelhoch, Vice Chair Tim Meiller, Vice Chair Carla Alexander, Vice Chair Steve Seliger, Vice Chair

22 IRB Meetings Small Committees Frequent (3x/week meetings) Affiliated Scientists Non-Scientists Unaffiliated Community Members Representative Advocates for Vulnerable Populations VA Representatives as Appropriate

23 IRB Function: Levels of Review Full Board review of greater than minimal risk protocols New protocols Continuing reviews ( at least annually) Modifications Expedited review of exempt and many minimal risk protocols

24 Transactions Reviewed by the IRB New Protocols Renewals Amendments Reportable new information Unanticipated Problems Involving Risks to Subjects or Others and Adverse Events Includes serious and continuous noncompliance

25 Levels of Research Risk Minimal Greater than Minimal Risk

26 Minimal Risk Research The probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.* *[From: 45 CFR i.]

27 Examples of Minimal Risk Research Chart review Survey Physical exam Drawing blood Review of previously collected specimens Collection of stool or sputum specimens

28 Exempt Research Certain minimal risk research activities are exempt (45 CFR b) The IRB, not the investigator, determines if the research is exempt Six exempt categories Category #4 Example: Retrospective chart/database review The most common exempt category at UMB

29 Expedited Review Minimal risk studies Expedited review and approval normally 2-3 weeks faster than full board review Does not have to be reviewed at fully convened meeting But full board needs to approve of expedited review

30 Full Board Review Greater Than Minimal Risk Transactions Review conducted at a convened meeting A full quorum is assembled Non-scientists/unaffiliated members Decision is rendered by a majority of the assembled quorum No member with a conflict of interest participates in the decision

31 What Aspects Are Important for an IRB Review? Subjects adequately protected Potential Benefits > Risk Study design/scientific integrity of research Equitable Subject Selection (No Coercion) Appropriate Informed Consent Privacy & Confidentiality Protection Data & Safety Monitoring

32 IRB must determine that the following requirements have been satisfied: 1. Risk(s) to participants are minimized 2. Risk(s) to participants are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits and to the importance of the expected knowledge. 3. Selection of participants is equitable 4. Informed consent will be sought and the consent form includes all elements and in language understandable to participants

33 IRB Review Requirements (cont.) 5. Provisions for obtaining and documenting informed consent are appropriate 6. Privacy and confidentiality are adequately protected 7. Research plan makes provisions for data safety monitoring (if applicable) 8. Additional safeguards are included to protect the rights and welfare of vulnerable participants (if applicable)

34 Vulnerable Population Examples Pregnant Women, Human Fetuses and Neonates (45 CFR 46, Subpart B) Prisoners (45 CFR 46, Subpart C) (requires prison advocate review) Children (45 CFR 46, Subpart D) Cognitively Impaired/ Impaired Decision Making Capacity Students/employees Wards of the State

35 Responsibilities & Authority of the IRB Approve, Disapprove, or Modify Research Protocols; Suspend or Terminate Research Protocols Conduct Continuing Review of Research Protocols Critique and Monitor Informed Consent Process Monitor Ongoing Research Studies Perform audits on study conduct; Investigate RNI Evaluate Financial Interests of investigators and Research Staff

36 PI Responsibilities: Investigators must have appropriate expertise Assures that the conduct of the study complies with all ethical, scientific, and financial principles espoused by UMB and the federal government Assures that there are adequate resources (space, staff, funding) to accomplish the research Assures that staff are adequately trained

37 Collaborative Institutional Comprehensive Evaluation of Research Online (CICERO)

38 CICERO Electronic System Creating, submitting, reviewing, documenting, communicating, storing Web-enabled database Benefits: Reduces administrative burden Improves consistency Improves efficiency Improves accountability Modifiable

39 Introduction to CICERO* *

40 University of Maryland, Baltimore- Research Review

41 Cicero Submission/Review All PI s must be 51% employed by U of MD Mandatory Cicero and HIPAA Research Training Cicero Submission Created by PI/Submitted Scientific Review by Departmental Reviewer Protocol Arrives at HRPO Human Subject Research? Level of Risk Determination

42 Cicero Submission/Review Minimal Risk: Review by Designated Reviewer Reviewed by EC Member Reviewed by IRB Member Designated Reviewer Greater than Minimal Risk Assigned to Full Board Review 2-3 Independent Reviews Approve, Modifications Required to Secure Approval, Deferred, Disapproved

43 UMB Human Research Protections Program* *

44 Speed Bumps to Approval Know your scientific reviewer and understand the process of departmental review Fill out the Cicero application completely and accurately. Pay particular attention to vulnerable populations and data safety monitoring plan. If you have questions, ask before submission. Procedural questions may be addressed to any of the office administrative staff. Substantive questions should be addressed to the directors or EC members.

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46 The PI needs to: Assure appropriate oversight of research Respond to participant concerns Have adequate Data & Safety Monitoring Give appropriate care to the participants The principal investigator is the critical component in the conduct of high quality research and in the assurance of human research subjects safety

47 Additional Review Processes Specialty Reviews: Pediatrics, Cancer Center, Shock Trauma Center Environmental Health and Safety: Investigational Drug Service Radiation Safety: See EHS Web page Conflict of Interest:

48 Research Resources On Campus Human Research Protections Office Environmental Health and Safety Center for Clinical Trials General Clinical Research Center

49 Environmental Health and Safety Biosafety Shipping & DNA policy Environmental Management Chemical Waste & Disposal Guidelines Radiation Safety Approve research using radiation Training Bloodborne pathogens & shipping certification

50 Research Resources On Campus Human Research Protections Office Environmental Health and Safety Center for Clinical Trials General Clinical Research Center

51 Center for Clinical Trials Assists by facilitating contracts with University investigators to conduct studies Phase I through Phase IV Single-site and multiple-site studies

52 Research Resources On Campus Human Research Protections Office Environmental Health and Safety Center for Clinical Trials General Clinical Research Center

53 General Clinical Research Center GCRCs are designed to provide researchers with the resources they need to conduct high quality clinical research in patients and normal subjects The GCRC is available to all University of Maryland clinical investigators who have a need for GCRC resources will conduct clinical research of scientific merit NIH funded research has top priority, but studies funded by foundations, industry, and other sources are also welcome.

54 GCRC Resources: Nursing support for inpatient and outpatient data collection and patient care DEXA scans Bioinformatics and Biostatistics assistance Funds to pay for ancillary services A Genomics Core

55 Questions?