IRB activities associated with the VPR-CLS

Ensuring that human subject research be conducted in accordance with ethical and institutional guidelines is essential; however, completing individual state IRB applications for multi-registry linkages can be a time- and resource-intensive endeavor. In an effort to streamline the IRB application and review process, NAACCR has developed a Templated IRB/Registry Application (common form) and NCI recently entered into a contract with a Central IRB for review of VPR-CLS linkage Studies.

Revisions to the Common Rule now require use of a Central (or single) IRB for cooperative research. To learn more about this change to the Common Rule and the implications for cancer registry linkage studies, click on the IRB Common Rule Fact Sheet (Updated 8-1-18).

To address the requirements of the Revised Common Rule, NCI recently awarded a contract to the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York (BRANY) to serve as a Central IRB for review of VPR linkage studies in lieu of the local/state IRBs. This Central IRB will offer a consistent, high quality, and expert review process that will protect privacy and confidentiality while saving time and resources.  Adoption of the Central IRB by the local/state IRBs is currently being determined.