Cancer Committee  |  Closing a Study

Research Completion (Closures)

The submission of a closure indicates that all research activities have ceased, the research does not require continuing ethics approval, and the HREBA-Cancer Committee (CC) file can be closed.

 

Determining When a Closure is to be Submitted

For research that involves:

Direct interaction with participants a closure may be submitted when:

  • there is no further participant involvement/interaction,
  • all data collection, clarification and transfer is complete (this includes access to participants’ records that have personally identifying health information) and,
  • (if applicable) the sponsor has conducted the appropriate closeout activities.

No direct interaction with participants (i.e., secondary use of data, biological samples) – a closure may be submitted once all data acquisition is complete, samples are no longer being withdrawn from a bank or acquired from another research team. There should be no further access to participants’ records that have personally identifying health information.

Other considerations:

  • In cases where the research is grant funded, there may be a requirement by the funder to keep the file open while the funds continue to be accessed.
  • If the research is funded or supported by the US Federal Government (i.e., NIH) the file cannot be considered closed until follow-up of subjects is final and there is no further data analysis involving individually identifiable information.
  • When the closure is submitted either the results should have been disseminated, or a plan is in place for their dissemination.

 

Submitting a Closure

If your research meets the above criteria, it can be closed.

  • For research where the entire file can be closed (i.e., IRISS file is associated with only one site, or associated with multiple sites where all sites are closing): submit a closure by clicking the “Request Closure” button within IRISS. The study team(s) will receive a notification indicating that a closure request has been submitted. The Principal Investigator(s) (PI) will be further contacted if additional information is required. Once the closure request has been processed (i.e., reviewed and approved) the study team(s) will receive a notification confirming that the file is closed.
  • For research where the entire file CANNOT be closed (i.e., IRISS file is associated with multiple sites, but not all sites are closing):

 

If a participating site is closing, and the lead site is remaining open:

  1. Open a modification (i.e., an amendment)
  2. Keep one study coordinator from the participating site on file, who will continue to have access to the research after the site is closed; all other members from the study team of the participating site can be removed;
  3. Complete the paper CC Site Closure Form for the participating site and attach to the Documentation Page of the IRISS application (Section 11.0 – Other Documents);
  4. The remaining PI can then submit the modification;
  5. A letter confirming that the participating site has closed will be posted in IRISS.

 

If the lead site is closing, and a participating site is remaining open:

  1. Open a modification (i.e., an amendment)
  2. Edit the PI of the study; the PI of the lead site can be removed, and the PI for a participating site can be moved from Co-Investigator to PI;
  3. Keep one study coordinator from the lead site on file, who will continue to have access to the research after the site is closed; all other members from the study team of the lead site can be removed;
  4. Complete the paper CC Site Closure Form for the lead site and attach it to the Documentation Page of the IRISS application (Section 11.0 – Other Documents);
  5. The remaining PI can then submit the modification;
  6. A letter confirming that the lead site has closed will be posted in IRISS.

 

Once a research study is Closed with the CC, no further submissions for that research will be permitted. However, if relevant information, such as that listed below, becomes available, it should be submitted following the method for submitting a reportable event. If applicable, further investigation and/or action may be undertaken by the Committee.

  • Documentation that impacts the safety of participants previously involved with the research (e.g. dear investigator letter, change in Health Canada or FDA safety labeling, etc.)
  • Privacy Breaches
  • Participant Complaints

If a sponsor requests additional data following the closure of the research, a request for ethics approval must be submitted.

Related Standard Operating Procedure: 406 Research Completion