Data and safety monitoring
Remote control of data will be performed through data entry in a weekly fashion by a central CTA working in the CTU-HUVR. Any lack of completion or detected mistake will be promptly communicated to the local monitor (subcontracted CRO for Italy and Greece, and Spanish Clinical
Trial network for Spain) in order to be completed or corrected so data are the most accurate and updated as possible.Besides this one site initiation visit per site which provides specific training for the study, monitoring visits (number depending on recruitment rhythm or problems
detected) and close-out visit to each site will be performed according to the monitoring plan approved for the study,which details the data to be controlled with source documents,and procedures for the monitoring and reporting of monitoring visits to the CTU-HUVR. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) is foreseen when 50% of the sample size is recruited.The DSMB is charged with monitoring the accumulating data from the clinical trial to detect and report early evidenceof pre-specified or unanticipated benefit or harm to trial participants that may be attributable to one of the treatments under evaluation. The DSMB will conduct
an independent objective review of all accumulated data from the clinical trial in such a manner as tomaximize benefit to the trial participants and to the research effort. Based on this review, the DSMB shall advise the sponsor on the appropriateness of continuing the clinical trial as designed. In order to duly perform its responsibilities, the DSMB will: