Clinical research review and monitoring committees
As a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, clinical research functions are supported by complementary, yet independent multidisciplinary committees to oversee the development, activation, and continuous monitoring of studies with strong scientific merit. Learn more about Massey's NCI-commpiant clinical research committees and their functions below.
Massey’s protocol review and monitoring functions align with mandates from the NCI regarding research with human subjects. The PRMC conducts independent peer review of the scientific merit and progress of all clinical cancer research studies conducted within Massey. Initial review by corresponding Disease Working Groups initially assess the value, feasibility, and prioritization of studies, followed by submission to the PRMC which determines the overall scientific merit and whether a study proceeds to activation. All cancer-related research proposals must be reviewed and approved by the PRMC prior to Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
Research studies subject to PRMC review include the following:
- Research involving patients with cancer, their families or their health care providers
- Research involving patients without cancer that focus on cancer screening, diagnosis or prevention
- Cancer-related surveys (e.g., attitudes about risk, prevention, treatment and quality of life) of the general population
PRMC leadership
Chair: Renato Martins, M.D.
Chair of the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care
Professor, Internal Medicine
Vice Chair: Zhihong (Joanne) Wang, M.D.
Associate Professor, Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology)
For questions regarding the PRMC process, please contact masseyprms@vcu.edu.
The DSMC is directly responsible for the data and safety monitoring of approved and activated Massey investigator-initiated, interventional studies. The DSMC is closely aligned with the quality and integrity of the entire research study process and ensures compliance with expectations as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Functions of the DSMC include:
- Oversight of regulatory and protocol compliance
- Adherence to protocol-specific early stopping rules
- Approval of dose escalations/expansions
- Review of adverse events
- Overall monitoring of data quality and integrity
DSMC Chair
Asit Paul, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
(Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care)
For questions regarding the DSMC process, please contact masseydsmc@vcu.edu.