Weeks In Double-blind Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of vixotrigine in idiopathic or diabetes-associated painful small fibre neuropathy (CONVEY): a phase 2 placebo-controlled enriched-enrolment randomised withdrawal study.

No pharmacological treatments are specifically indicated for painful small fibre neuropathy (SFN). CONVEY, a phase 2 enriched-enrolment study, evaluated the efficacy and safety of vixotrigine, a voltage- and use-dependent sodium channel blocker, in participants with idiopathic or diabetes-associated painful SFN. CONVEY was a phase 2, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind (DB), enriched-enrolment, randomised withdrawal study. The study was conducted at 68 sites in 13 countries (Europe and Canada) between May 17, 2018, and April 12, 2021. Following a 4-week open-label period in which 265 adults with painful SFN (a mixture of large and small fibre neuropathy was not exclusionary) received oral vixotrigine 350mg twice daily (BID), 123 participants (with a ≥30% reduction from baseline in average daily pain [ADP] score during the open-label period) were randomised 1:1:1 to receive 200mg BID, 350mg BID or placebo for a 12-week double-blind (DB) period. Primary endpoint was change from baseline in ADP at DB Week 12. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of participants with a ≥30% reduction from baseline in ADP and the proportion of Patient Global Impression of Pain (PGIC) responders at DB Week 12. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Statistical significance was set at 0.10 (2-sided). The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03339336) and on ClinicalTrialsregister.eu (2017-000991-27). A statistically significant difference from placebo in least squares mean reduction in ADP score from baseline to DB Week 12 was observed with vixotrigine 200mg BID (-0.85; SE, 0.43; 95% CI,-1.71 to 0.00; p=0.050) but not 350mg BID (-0.17; SE, 0.43; 95% CI,-1.01 to 0.68; p=0.70). Numerically, but not statistically significantly, more participants who received vixotrigine vs placebo experienced a ≥30% ADP reduction from baseline (68.3-72.5% vs 52.5%), and only the 350mg BID group had significantly more PGIC responders vs placebo (48.8% vs 30.0%; odds ratio=2.60; 95% CI, 0.97-6.99; p=0.058) at DB Week 12. AEs were mostly mild to moderate in the vixotrigine groups. The most common AEs (≥5% of vixotrigine-treated participants) in the DB 200mg BID and 350mg BID vixotrigine groups were falls, nasopharyngitis, muscle spasm, and urinary tract infection. In our study, vixotrigine 200mg BID, but not 350mg BID, met the primary endpoint; more vixotrigine-treated participants experienced a ≥30% reduction from baseline in ADP at DB Week 12. Vixotrigine (at both dosages) was well tolerated in participants with SFN. Biogen, Inc.

Plasma neurofilament light chain in children with relapsing MS receiving teriflunomide or placebo: A post hoc analysis of the randomized TERIKIDS trial

Background: The phase 3 TERIKIDS study demonstrated efficacy and manageable safety for teriflunomide versus placebo in children with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Objective: Evaluate plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentrations in TERIKIDS. Methods: Patients received placebo or teriflunomide (14 mg adult equivalent) for up to 96 weeks in the double-blind (DB) period. In the open-label extension (OLE), all patients received teriflunomide until up to 192 weeks after randomization. pNfL was measured using single-molecule array assay (Simoa® NF-light™). Results: Baseline mean age was 14.5 years; 69.4% were female. Baseline geometric least square mean pNfL levels were similar for teriflunomide (n = 78) and placebo (n = 33) patients (19.83 vs 18.30 pg/mL). Over the combined DB and OLE periods, pNfL values were lower for teriflunomide versus placebo (analysis of variance p < 0.01; Week 192: 10.61 vs 17.32 pg/mL). Observed between-group pNfL differences were attenuated upon adjustment for gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing or new/enlarged T2 lesion counts at DB Week 24. Higher baseline pNfL levels were associated with shorter time since first MS symptom onset, higher baseline Gd-enhancing lesion counts and T2 lesion volume, and increased hazard of high magnetic resonance imaging activity or clinical relapse during the DB period. Conclusion: Teriflunomide treatment was associated with significantly reduced pNfL levels in children with RMS. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02201108.

Impact of lurasidone on health-related quality of life in adults with bipolar depression: a post-hoc analysis

Objective The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to assess the impact of lurasidone monotherapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with bipolar depression. Methods Data were analyzed from a 6-week randomized, double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled trial of lurasidone monotherapy (NCT00868699) and a 6-month open label extension (OLE; NCT00868959). Patients who received lurasidone monotherapy or placebo during the DB trial were eligible to continue or switch to lurasidone monotherapy during the OLE. The 16-item Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) was collected at DB baseline, DB week 6/OLE baseline, OLE month 3, and OLE month 6. Effect size (ES) and mean changes from baseline were reported for Q-LES-Q-SF total and item scores during the DB trial and OLE, respectively. Results Of 485 patients in the DB trial (lurasidone monotherapy: n = 323; placebo: n = 162), 316 patients continued or switched to lurasidone monotherapy during the OLE. Significant improvements in Q-LES-Q-SF scores in lurasidone vs. placebo were reported for 13 of 16 items (all p < 0.05) at DB week 6. The greatest improvements were overall life satisfaction (ES =0.57), social relationships (0.55), medication satisfaction (0.48), family relationships (0.46), and ability to function in daily life (0.45, all p < 0.001). Improvements in Q-LES-Q-SF total and item scores were sustained at OLE month 6. Conclusions Treatment with lurasidone provided a significant improvement across HRQoL items including overall life satisfaction, social and family relationships, medication satisfaction, and ability to function in daily life. Improvements were sustained during the 6-month OLE.

AbobotulinumtoxinA in the Management of Hallux Valgus in Adult Patients: Results of a Randomised And Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial

Category:BunionIntroduction/Purpose:Hallux valgus (HV) is a progressive foot deformity affecting nearly 25% of adults, characterized by pain and functional disability, and morphological changes in foot appearance due to progressive lateral deviation of the hallux. HV is initially managed with orthotic interventions, which are often ineffective. Corrective surgery can be efficacious, but is associated with significant pain, long recovery times and, potentially, recurrence. AbobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A, Dysport®) injections may correct the underlying muscle imbalance (resulting from hypertonia of specific forefoot muscles governing the hallux) thought to cause deformity, thereby reducing pain and disability associated with HV. Therefore, the aim of this phase II, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study (NCT03569098) was to evaluate the effect of aboBoNT-A on pain and disability associated with HV in adults.Methods:Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive aboBoNT-A 300U, 500U, or placebo in a ≥12-week double-blind (DB) phase, followed by a 24-week open-label (OL) phase (OL Cycle 1, 300U [all patients]; OL Cycle 2, 300U or 500U). Total doses were divided equally into four specific foot muscles involved in hallux function. Eligible patients were aged 18–75 years with an HV angle 15–30° and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) score of ≥4 (0, no pain; 10, worst possible pain). NPRS score was self-reported for 7 days before baseline and before each post-baseline visit. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in NPRS score (7- day average) before DB Week 8. Two post-hoc endpoints were defined as the percentage of days patients’ NPRS scores were: 1) lower than their lowest NPRS score before baseline; and 2) ≥2 points lower than mean baseline NPRS score. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed for aboBoNT-A 300U (n=63) or 500U (n=60) versus placebo (n=63) in NPRS scores at DB Week 8 (least squares mean [standard error]: -1.7 [0.3], -2.4 [0.3], versus -2.0 [0.3], respectively). Scores showed a trend towards pain reduction at Week 12 for aboBoNT-A 500U (-2.4 [0.3]) versus placebo (-1.7 [0.3]; p=0.06). Scores reduced further in OL Cycle 1. Post-hoc analyses showed that patients treated with aboBoNT-A 500U spent significantly more days with reduced pain before DB Week 8 compared with those treated with placebo: analysis 1) 63% versus 38% of days, respectively (p<0.01); analysis 2) 55% versus 37% of days, respectively (p=0.06). Results were similar at DB Week 12 (analysis 1: p<0.01; analysis 2: p=0.02, respectively). No new or unexpected AEs were reported.Conclusion:Although the primary endpoint was not met at Week 8, a trend towards significant pain reduction versus placebo was reported for patients with HV at Week 12 following aboBoNT-A 500U injection. Pain was further reduced with repeat injection. Post-hoc analyses indicate that HV patients spent a greater proportion of time with reduced pain following aboBoNT-A 500U injection compared with placebo. This may be a more clinically relevant assessment of benefit than NPRS score averaged over 7 days. Safety results were in line with the known profile of aboBoNT-A.

Efficacy and safety of paliperidone palmitate 3-month versus 1-month formulation in patients with schizophrenia: comparison between European and non-European population.

PurposeThis randomized, double-blind (DB), non-inferiority phase 3 study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of paliperidone palmitate 3-month (PP3M) vs 1-month formulation (PP1M) in European and non-European patients with schizophrenia.Patients and methodsIn this randomized, DB, parallel-group study, adult patients (18–70 years) with schizophrenia (per DSM-IV-TR) having Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score between 70 and 120; previously stabilized on PP1M were enrolled. The study had 4 phases: screening (3 weeks), open-label (OL) stabilization (17 weeks), DB (48 weeks) and follow-up (4–12 weeks) phase. Patients were treated with fixed-dose PP3M (175–525 mg eq deltoid/gluteal) or PP1M (50–150 mg eq deltoid/gluteal) for 48 weeks in DB phase.ResultsIn total, 487 European (PP3M, n=242; PP1M, n=245) and 508 non-European patients (PP3M, n=241; PP1M, n=267) entered DB phase (modified intent-to-treat (mITT) [DB] analysis set). Among the 508 non-European patients in mITT set, 67.7% were from Asia (n=344) and 32.3% were from rest of world (ROW, n=164). During the DB phase, similar percentage of Europeans (PP3M: 7%; PP1M: 8%) and non-Europeans (PP3M: 9%; PP1M: 10%) experienced relapse (Kaplan–Meier estimate PP3M–PP1M [95% CI] of percentage of relapse-free patients at the end of DB phase [primary endpoint]: European: 1.0% [−4.3%; 6.2%]; non-European: 1.4% [−4.4%; 7.1%]; Asian: 1.6% [−5.7%; 9.0%]; and ROW: 1.4% [−7.0%, 9.8%], per-protocol analysis set). Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was lower in Europeans (PP3M: 56%, PP1M: 59%) than non-Europeans (PP3M: 80%, PP1M: 73%). The most commonly reported TEAE was weight gain.ConclusionPP3M showed similar efficacy to PP1M in Europeans and non-Europeans, consistent with non-inferiority of PP3M to PP1M observed in overall population. Rates of AEs were higher in non-Europeans. However, weight gain was greater in non-Europeans, especially the Asian population.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study of lurasidone for the maintenance of efficacy in patients with schizophrenia

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of lurasidone as maintenance treatment for schizophrenia.Method:Adults experiencing an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia initially received 12–24 weeks of open-label treatment with lurasidone (40–80 mg/d, flexibly dosed). Patients who maintained clinical stability for ⩾12 weeks were randomized in double-blind fashion to placebo or lurasidone (40–80 mg/d, flexibly dosed) for an additional 28-week treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint was time to relapse (based on Kaplan–Meier survival analysis).Results:A total of 676 patients enrolled in the open-label phase; 285 met protocol-specified stabilization criteria and were randomized to lurasidone (N=144) or placebo (N=141). During the open-label phase, mean Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score decreased from 90.1 to 54.4 in patients who met clinical stability criteria and were randomized. In the double-blind phase, lurasidone significantly delayed time to relapse compared with placebo (log-rank test, p=0.039), reflecting a 33.7% reduction in risk of relapse (Cox hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 0.663 (0.447–0.983); p=0.041). Probability of relapse at the double-blind week 28 endpoint (based on Kaplan–Meier analysis) was 42.2% in the lurasidone group and 51.2% in the placebo group. Minimal changes in weight, lipid, glucose, and prolactin were observed throughout the study.Conclusions:This multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study demonstrated the efficacy of lurasidone for the maintenance treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study evaluating the time course of response to methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The purpose of this study was to assess the time of onset and time course of efficacy over 12.0 hours of extended-release multilayer bead formulation of methylphenidate (MPH-MLR) compared with placebo in children 6-12 years of age with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a laboratory school setting. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study included children 6-12 years of age with ADHD. Enrolled children went through four study phases: 1) Screening period (≤4 weeks) and a 2 day medication washout period; 2) open-label period with dose initiation of MPH-MLR 15 mg daily and individual dose optimization treatment period (2-4 weeks); 3) double-blind crossover period in which participants were randomized to sequences (1 week each) of placebo and the optimized MPH-MLR dose given daily; and 4) follow-up safety call. Analog classroom time course evaluations were performed at the end of each double-blind week. The primary efficacy end-point was the mean of the on-treatment/postdose Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham (SKAMP)-Total scores over time points collected 1.0-12.0 hours after dosing. End-points were evaluated using a mixed-effects analysis of covariance. The evaluable population included 20 participants. The least-squares mean postdose SKAMP-Total score was higher for placebo than for MPH-MLR (2.18 vs. 1.32, respectively; p=0.0001), indicating fewer symptoms with MPH-MLR therapy than with placebo. No difference in SKAMP-Total score between participants who received sequence 1 or sequence 2 was noted. From each of hours 1.0-12.0, least-squares mean SKAMP-Total score was significantly lower for those receiving MPH-MLR than for those receiving placebo (p≤0.0261). Neither serious adverse events nor new or unexpected safety findings were noted during the study. MPH-MLR showed a significant decrease in SKAMP scores compared with placebo in children with ADHD 6-12 years of age, indicating a decrease in ADHD symptoms. The estimated onset was observed within 1.0 hour, and duration was measured to 12.0 hours postdose. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01269463.

Success rate, efficacy, and safety/tolerability of overnight switching from immediate‐ to extended‐release pramipexole in advanced Parkinson's disease

For Parkinson's disease (PD), an extended-release (ER) pramipexole formulation taken once daily, has shown efficacy, safety, and tolerability resembling those of immediate-release (IR) pramipexole taken three times daily. The present study assessed, in advanced PD, the success of an overnight switch from adjunctive IR to ER. Levodopa users experiencing motor fluctuations were randomized to adjunctive double-blind (DB) placebo, IR, or ER. Amongst completers of ≥18weeks, ER recipients were kept on DB ER, whilst IR recipients were switched overnight to DB ER at unchanged daily dosage. After a DB week, switch success was assessed. During the next 5weeks, all patients underwent ER titration to optimal open-label maintenance dosage. One week post-switch, 86.2% of 123 IR-to-ER and 83.8% of 105 ER-to-ER patients had ≤15% (or ≤3-point, for pre-switch scores ≤20) increase on UPDRS Parts II+III, and 77.9% (of 122) and 70.2% (of 104) had ≤1-h increase in daily OFF-time. At 32weeks, the groups showed comparable improvements from DB baseline (pramipexole inception), including, on UPDRS II+III, adjusted mean (SE) changes of -14.8 (1.5) for IR-to-ER and -13.3 (1.6) for ER-to-ER. Rates of premature discontinuation owing to adverse events were 6.5% for IR-to-ER and 4.9% for ER-to-ER. By OFF-time and UPDRS criteria, majorities of patients with advanced PD were successfully switched overnight from pramipexole IR to ER at unchanged daily dosage. During subsequent maintenance, pramipexole showed sustained efficacy, safety, and tolerability, regardless of formulation (IR or ER) in the preceding DB trial.

Continuation phase treatment with bupropion SR effectively decreases the risk for relapse of depression

Background: This was the first controlled continuation phase study (up to 1-year total treatment) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bupropion SR for decreasing the risk for relapse of depression in patients who responded to bupropion SR. Methods: Patients with recurrent major depression were treated with bupropion SR 300 mg/day during an 8-week open-label phase. Responders (based on Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Improvement of Illness scores) entered a randomized, double-blind phase where they received bupropion SR 300 mg/day or placebo for up to 44 weeks. After randomization, relapse was defined as the point at which the investigator intervened by withdrawing the patient from the study to treat depression. Results: Four hundred twenty-three patients were randomized. A statistically significant difference in favor of bupropion SR over placebo was seen in the time to treatment intervention for depression when survival curves were compared (log-rank test, p = .003). Statistically significant separation between bupropion SR and placebo began at double-blind week 12 ( p < .05). Adverse events in bupropion SR-treated patients accounted for 9% and 4% of discontinuations from the open-label and double-blind phases, respectively. Conclusions: Bupropion SR was shown to be effective and well tolerated in decreasing the risk for relapse of depression for up to 44 weeks.

Effects of candesartan cilexetil in patients with severe systemic hypertension

The efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the potent angiotensin II receptor blocker candesartan cilexetil were evaluated in 217 adult patients (68% men, 41% black) with severe systemic hypertension on background therapy with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in a 4-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients with sitting diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥110 mm Hg during the placebo run-in received HCTZ 12.5 mg once daily for 1 week. Those with sitting diastolic BP >95 mm Hg after the HCTZ run-in were randomized (2:1) to receive candesartan cilexetil 8 mg once daily (n = 141) or placebo (n = 76), plus HCTZ 12.5 mg. After 1 week of double-blind treatment, patients with sitting diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg were uptitrated to candesartan cilexetil 16 mg once daily or matching placebo, plus HCTZ 12.5 mg; 84% required uptitration. Primary efficacy measurement was a change in trough (24 ± 3 hours after treatment) sitting diastolic BP from the end of the HCTZ run-in to double-blind week 4. Mean changes in systolic and diastolic BP were significantly greater with candesartan cilexetil than with placebo, −11.3/−9.1 mm Hg versus −4.1/−3.1 mm Hg, p <0.001/p <0.001, respectively. Patients with higher sitting diastolic BP at the end of the HCTZ run-in tended to have greater decreases in BP (p <0.05). Most patients (53%) receiving candesartan cilexetil were responders (diastolic BP <90 mm Hg or ≥10 mm Hg decrease) and 32% were controlled (diastolic BP <90 mm Hg). Tolerability and safety profiles were similar in the candesartan and placebo groups. In conclusion, candesartan cilexetil 8 to 16 mg once daily was an effective and well-tolerated therapy for lowering BP when added to HCTZ 12.5 mg in a diverse population of patients with severe systemic hypertension in the United States.