A Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) is an independent group that reviews accumulating clinical trial data to monitor participant safety and trial integrity during ongoing studies.
DMCs typically include clinicians, statisticians, and subject-matter experts who are not otherwise involved in the trial. They assess emerging safety trends, efficacy signals, and benefitñrisk balance at predefined intervals. The committee may recommend continuing, modifying, or stopping a trial based on interim findings and stopping rules. Independent DMC oversight strengthens ethical conduct and complements IRB review through data-driven safety surveillance.