<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Case: Translational Research Jones, a translational researcher in metabolism in a major academic department of medicine developed a small molecule PYY derivative that traverses the blood-brain-barrier and activates the satiety center. This anorexigenic agent has safely reduced appetite and weight in genetically obese mice and rats as well as normal animals, which became emaciated. Jones calls the product "Sleek." Studies in other species demonstrated the unique effectiveness of Sleek. Jones got Sleek patented by the university and founded a biotech company "ANOREX" to complete the clinical trials and market the product as well as to develop even better agents. Jones became CEO of the company and took an allocation of 25% of the stock. Obtaining venture capital funding was a snap. Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials on obese patients in Jones' metabolism clinic did not demonstrate any adverse effects and allowed the establishment of a dosage schedule adequate for a large Phase 3 clinical trial. ANOREX engaged a clinical trials company to conduct the trial on Jones' design in consultation with the FDA. Sleek would be given at two doses versus control to 500 individuals at greater than 100% above ideal body weight for 12 weeks in a double-blinded randomized manner. DEXA scans, weights, BP, and many chemistries would be done before beginning and at 1,3,6,9 and 12 weeks. Following completion of the initial trial, all participants would be placed on Sleek in an open label trial for six months. Jones would enroll 100 of the participants from his metabolic clinic to keep an eye on the study and the remainder will be enrolled in 20 cooperating sites. Since Sleek is a new drug, Jones arranges a Data and Safety Monitoring Board consisting of the leadership of ANOREX and three of the other Principal Investigators, each of whom receives consulting fees from ANOREX. All the participating IRBs approve the trial. During the course of the 12-week trial, participants lose an average of two pounds weekly, are never hungry, and are delighted. A participant who works at a local newspaper asks Jones for an interview and he graciously gives an upbeat report in which the interviewer is cautioned that the trial remains in progress and is not conclusive. During the open label portion of the trial two participants from Jones' metabolic clinic become ill. They develop congestive heart failure and, on hospitalization are found to have dilational cardiomyopathy. Sleek is stopped in both cases and the serious adverse event (SAE) is reported to the IRB and the FDA. However, the report claims that the drug was probably not the cause of the event since there were no reports of trouble at the other sites and idiopathic cardiomyopathy was not all that uncommon. One of the two patients improves rapidly and the other deteriorates to the point of requiring a heart transplant. Questions: Given the information provided, if you were an IRB member what questions would you have had for Jones prior to approval of the protocol? Would you have insisted on any changes to the trial? If you were the IRB chair, reading the SAE report, what further steps would you have insisted on? The Data and Safety Monitoring Board was scheduled to meet semi-annually. Should they have any further involvement in the process and if so what would you, as a member, insist on? << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 5 Quick Links Monitor Research Cases Bibliography Chapter 5 Download (PDF)