Global Reach, Local Impact: Sylvester’s Clinical Trials Course Returns
Clinical trials are the backbone of medical discovery, transforming promising ideas and research discoveries into proven treatments and turning hope into improved outcomes through rigorous scientific validation. Every breakthrough in cancer care—from targeted therapies to immunotherapies—has passed through the meticulous process of clinical trial design, execution and analysis. These trials are not merely procedural steps. They are the lifeblood of innovation, bridging laboratory research and real-world patient impact.
This fall, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, will continue its legacy of leadership with the return of the Design and Management of Cancer Clinical Trials Course (DMCTC). Originally launched in 2019 as part of the Sylvester K12 physician-scientist training program with 79 participants, it has grown into a global initiative, drawing nearly 1,300 participants from 38 countries in 2024.
“Clinical trials are essential for moving life-saving scientific discoveries from the lab to the clinic, facilitating translation into communities worldwide,” said course director Alan Pollack, M.D., Ph.D., Sylvester researcher and professor of radiation oncology at the Miller School. “In addition to establishing new treatments for cancer, clinical trials lead to new strategies for diagnosing and preventing cancer, all with a common purpose: to reduce the burden of cancer at the individual and population levels.”
The DMCTC, which runs from Sept. 5 to Oct. 10, is a free, six-week virtual course designed to equip cancer-focused clinicians, researchers, trainees and staff with fundamental and new technical knowledge on design, implementation and management of clinical trials. The course has an emphasis on the key elements necessary for supporting such research with highly functional and integrated members of the research team.
Dr. Pollack’s leadership spans more than four decades in prostate cancer research. He has held key roles at three NCI-designated cancer centers and mentored more than 100 emerging researchers. His work in trials such as the SPPORT trial, published in The Lancet, underscores the caliber of insight participants can expect.
“There is a recognized shortage of clinical scientists and support staff positioned to meet national and global needs in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research,” said Vaughn Edelson, director of research support at Sylvester. “Since its inception, the DMCTC has provided foundational clinical trials content and exposure to new research topics for nearly 3,000 people.”
Clinical Trial Design and Management
Sylvester’s clinical research experts have designed the course to provide the knowledge and skills that early-career physician-scientists need to advance research programs, foster better trial design, manage successful research teams and ultimately improve patient care. The course content is relevant not just to physicians but to the broader oncology workforce.
“We hope participants recognize the importance of a team-based approach to clinical cancer research,” Edelson said. “A trial’s success depends on the expert, coordinated contributions of each person involved.”
The Curriculum
The DMCTC curriculum includes foundational content on trial design and statistics, as well as practical strategies for protocol development, patient recruitment, ethical considerations and regulatory compliance. This year’s course also introduces four special sessions reflecting the evolving landscape of clinical research:
• AI and clinical trials
• Community engagement in clinical research
• Special topics for advanced practice providers, nurses and research staff
• “Dungeons and Drug Approvals,” an immersive, role-playing game designed to teach health care professionals the basics of clinical trials in an interactive format
“AI is one of the hottest topics in clinical research right now,” Edelson said. “Questions about AI came up repeatedly during the 2024 course, so we started planning right away for a dedicated AI session in 2025.”
Physicians, advanced practice providers and nurses can receive up to 18 hours of CME/CNE credit. University of Miami graduate students may enroll for master’s or Ph.D. credit, making the course a valuable resource for both professional development and academic advancement.
Registration and Course Information
Registration is open. The course is delivered entirely online and all sessions are recorded, allowing registered participants worldwide to learn from top-tier faculty (about 50% from UM and 50% extramural) without the need to travel.
“Through programs like the DMCTC, Sylvester is shaping the future of cancer research, one scholar at a time,” Dr. Pollack said.
Tags: cancer research, clinical trials, Dr. Alan Pollack, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center