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Harris PA, Dunsmore SE, Atkinson JC, Benjamin DK, Bernard GR, Dean JM, Dwyer JP, Ford DF, Selker HP, Waddy SP, Wiley KL, Wilkins CH, Cook SK, Burr JS, Edwards TL, Huvane J, Kennedy N, Lane K, Majkowski R, Nelson S, Palm ME, Stroud M, Thompson DD, Busacca L, Elkind MSV, Kimberly RP, Reilly MP, Hanley DF. Leveraging the Expertise of the CTSA Program to Increase the Impact and Efficiency of Clinical Trials. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2336470. [PMID: 37796498 PMCID: PMC10773966 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Multicenter clinical trials play a critical role in the translational processes that enable new treatments to reach all people and improve public health. However, conducting multicenter randomized clinical trials (mRCT) presents challenges. The Trial Innovation Network (TIN), established in 2016 to partner with the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Consortium of academic medical institutions in the implementation of mRCTs, consists of 3 Trial Innovation Centers (TICs) and 1 Recruitment Innovation Center (RIC). This unique partnership has aimed to address critical roadblocks that impede the design and conduct of mRCTs, in expectation of accelerating the translation of novel interventions to clinical practice. The TIN's challenges and achievements are described in this article, along with examples of innovative resources and processes that may serve as useful models for other clinical trial networks providing operational and recruitment support. Observations The TIN has successfully integrated more than 60 CTSA institution program hubs into a functional network for mRCT implementation and optimization. A unique support system for investigators has been created that includes the development and deployment of novel tools, operational and recruitment services, consultation models, and rapid communication pathways designed to reduce delays in trial start-up, enhance recruitment, improve engagement of diverse research participants and communities, and streamline processes that improve the quality, efficiency, and conduct of mRCTs. These resources and processes span the clinical trial spectrum and enable the TICs and RIC to serve as coordinating centers, data centers, and recruitment specialists to assist trials across the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. The TIN's impact has been demonstrated through its response to both historical operational challenges and emerging public health emergencies, including the national opioid public health crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions and Relevance The TIN has worked to reduce barriers to implementing mRCTs and to improve mRCT processes and operations by providing needed clinical trial infrastructure and resources to CTSA investigators. These resources have been instrumental in more quickly and efficiently translating research discoveries into beneficial patient treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Harris
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah E Dunsmore
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jane C Atkinson
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daniel Kelly Benjamin
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Gordon R Bernard
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Jamie P Dwyer
- University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City
- Utah Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Salt Lake City
| | - Daniel F Ford
- Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Harry P Selker
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Salina P Waddy
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kenneth L Wiley
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Consuelo H Wilkins
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah K Cook
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Terri L Edwards
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Nan Kennedy
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Karen Lane
- Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ryan Majkowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sarah Nelson
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Marisha E Palm
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mary Stroud
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Dixie D Thompson
- University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City
- Utah Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Salt Lake City
| | - Linda Busacca
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Mitchell S V Elkind
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Robert P Kimberly
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Daniel F Hanley
- Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Jeon JE, Mighty J, Lane K, McBee N, Majkowski R, Mayo S, Hanley D. Participation of a coordinating center pharmacy in a multicenter international study. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2016; 73:1859-1868. [PMID: 27821398 PMCID: PMC6188656 DOI: 10.2146/ajhp150849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The activities of a coordinating center pharmacy (CCP) supporting a multicenter, international clinical trial are described. SUMMARY Serving in a research support role comparable to that of a commercial clinical trial supply company, a CCP within the Johns Hopkins Hospital Investigational Drug Service (JHH IDS) uses its management expertise and infrastructure to support multicenter trials, such as the recently completed Clot Lysis: Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Phase III (CLEAR III) trial. The role of the CCP staff in supporting the CLEAR III trial was overall investigational product (IP) management through coordination of IP-related operations to ensure high-quality care for study participants at study sites in the United States and abroad. For the CLEAR III trial, the CCP coordinated IP supply activities; provided education to site pharmacists; developed study-specific documents, including pharmacy manuals; communicated with trial stakeholders, including third-party IP distributors; monitored treatment assignments; and performed quality assurance monitoring to ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, and international regulations regarding IP procurement and storage. Acting as a CCP for a multicenter international study poses a number of operational challenges while providing opportunities for the CCP to contribute to research of global importance and enrich the skill sets of its personnel. CONCLUSION The development and implementation of the CCP at JHH IDS for the CLEAR III trial included several responsibilities, such as IP supply management, communication, and database, regulatory, and finance management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janet Mighty
- Department of Pharmacy, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Karen Lane
- Division of Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Nichol McBee
- Division of Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ryan Majkowski
- Division of Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Daniel Hanley
- Division of Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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