Weeks Of Double-blind Treatment Research Articles

311 Effects of ruxolitinib cream in patients with atopic dermatitis with head and/or neck involvement

Atopic dermatitis (AD) often involves the head and/or neck (HN). In two phase 3 studies (TRuE-AD1, TRuE-AD2), 1249 patients (≥12 y) with AD for ≥2 y, an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 2/3, and 3%–20% affected body surface area were randomized (2:2:1) to twice-daily 0.75% or 1.5% ruxolitinib (RUX) cream (Janus kinase [JAK] 1/JAK2 inhibitor) or vehicle cream for 8 weeks of double-blind treatment. In this analysis, pooled efficacy at Week 8 was assessed by the proportion of patients achieving IGA treatment success (IGA of 0/1 and ≥2-grade improvement from baseline), ≥75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) vs baseline, and ≥4-point improvement in itch Numerical Rating Scale score (NRS4) in patients who had HN involvement at baseline (n=696 [55.7% of randomized patients]); data in the overall population (OP) were also included.

Efficacy of Lurasidone in Antipsychotic-Naive vs. Antipsychotic-Exposed Adolescents with Schizophrenia: Post-Hoc Analysis of a Two-Year, Open-Label Study

Few studies have examined treatment response in adolescents with schizophrenia who are treatment-naive; and there is no placebo-controlled study that we are aware of in first episode treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of lurasidone in antipsychotic-naive adolescents with schizophrenia. Patients aged 13-17 years with schizophrenia, and a PANSS total score ≥70 and <120, were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind (DB) treatment with lurasidone (40 or 80 mg/day) or placebo. Six-week completers were eligible to enroll in a 2-year open-label extension phase receiving lurasidone flexibly dosed from 20-80 mg/day. In a post-hoc analysis, efficacy was evaluated for 2 patient groups based on treatment status prior to entering the initial 6-week DB study (treatment naïve [TN] vs. treated previously [TP]). Treatment-naïve was defined as never having received antipsychotic treatment. Efficacy measures included the PANSS total score and the Clinical Global Impression, Severity (CGI-S) score. Level of functioning was assessed using the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), with a score of 70 representing normative levels of functioning. A total of 50 TN and 221 TP patients completed the 6-week DB study and entered the extension study; and 30 (60.0%) TN and 126 (57.0%) TP patients completed 104 weeks. During the initial 6 weeks of DB treatment, mean change in PANSS total score at endpoint was greater for lurasidone vs. placebo in both the TN group (-25.0 vs. -14.4; P<0.02; effect size, 0.75), and in the TP group (-17.3 vs. -10.0; P<0.001; effect size, 0.45). During OL extension phase treatment with lurasidone, mean change from DB baseline in the PANSS total score for TN and TP patients, at week 52 was -32.6 (n=38) and -28.1 (n=151), respectively; and at week 104 was -33.6 (n=30) and -29.2 (n=126), respectively. Mean change from DB baseline in CGI-S score at both weeks 52 and 104 was -1.8 for TN patients and -1.5 for TP patients. At DB baseline mean CGAS scores indicated significant functional impairment in both the TN and TP patients (CGAS=48 and 43, respectively). During OL treatment with lurasidone, mean change (from DB baseline) in the CGAS score at Weeks 52 and 104, respectively, was +22.0 and +22.9 in TN patients, and +21.1 and +22.9 in TP patients. During OL treatment with lurasidone, mean observed change from DB baseline in the weight (in kg,) at Weeks 52 and 104, respectively, was +4.2 and +4.8 in TN patients, and +4.0 and +5.0 in TP patients. These weight increases are consistent with expected weight gains in adolescents during a 2-year period (based on CDC growth charts). In this post-hoc analysis of a 2-year study, adolescents with schizophrenia who had received no previous antipsychotic therapy showed greater improvement compared to previously treated patients during both short- and long-term treatment with lurasidone. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Lurasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia: Sustained remission and recovery during 2 years of open-label treatment

IntroductionCompared with adult onset, early onset schizophrenia is typically characterized by greater illness severity and less favorable prognosis.ObjectivesTo evaluate the proportion of adolescent patients with schizophrenia who achieved sustained remission and recovery during 2 years of treatment with lurasidone.MethodsPatients aged 13-17 years with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of schizophrenia, and a Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) total score ≥70 and &lt;120, were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind (DB), fixed-dose treatment with lurasidone (37 or 74 mg/d) or placebo. Patients who completed 6 weeks of DB treatment were eligible to enroll in a 2-year, open-label (OL), flexible dose extension study of lurasidone (18.5-74 mg/d). Criteria for sustained remission, were the 6-month consensus criteria summarized by Andreasen (Am J Psych 2005;162:441-9). Criteria for sustained recovery consisted of meeting sustained remission criteria with a Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) score ≥70 for at least 6-months indicating no clinically significant functional impairment.ResultsA total of 271 patients completed the 6-week DB study and entered the extension study, and 186 (68.6%) and 156 (57.6%) completed 52 weeks and 104 weeks of treatment, respectively. During OL treatment with lurasidone, 52.8% met sustained remission criteria, with a Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimate of 64.1 weeks for median time to sustained remission; and 28.8% met sustained recovery criteria, KM estimate of 104.6 weeks for median time to sustained recovery.ConclusionsFor adolescents with schizophrenia, treatment with lurasidone was associated with high rates of sustained remission and sustained recovery over a two-year period.DisclosureEmployee of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. The study summarized in this Abstract was supported by funding from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc

Effects of Cariprazine on Cognition in Patients With Bipolar Mania or Mixed States: Post Hoc Analysis From 3 Randomized, Controlled Phase III Studies

AbstractIntroductionCariprazine, a dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist, is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and for depressive, manic, or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Previous post hoc analyses have demonstrated that cariprazine was effective versus placebo for improving cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar depression. This post hoc analysis evaluated the effects of cariprazine on cognitive symptoms in patients with acute manic or mixed bipolar episodes.MethodsData from 3 phase II/III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (NCT00488618, NCT01058096, NCT01058668) were pooled and analyzed. Patients were randomized to placebo or flexibly dosed cariprazine (3-12 mg/d, 3-6 mg/d, or 6-12 mg/d [1 study only]) for 3 weeks of double-blind treatment; all dose groups were combined for the pooled analysis. Cognitive symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Cognitive subscale (sum of PANSS items P2, N5, N7, G10, G11); a score of 15 or greater at baseline indicated the presence of cognitive symptoms. Mean changes from baseline to week 3 in PANSS cognitive subscale/item scores and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) total score were evaluated in the overall intent-to-treat (ITT) population and in the subgroup of patients with baseline cognitive symptoms. A mixed-effects model for repeated measures (MMRM) was used to impute missing values.ResultsOf the 1012 patients in the ITT population, 174 (placebo=71; cariprazine=103) had a PANSS Cognitive subscale score of 15 or greater at baseline. At week 3, the cariprazine group demonstrated significantly greater mean improvement than the placebo group on PANSS cognitive subscale scores in both the ITT population (−2.2 vs −1.3; P&lt;.0001) and the subgroup with baseline cognitive symptoms (−4.0 vs −1.9; P=.0002). In patients with baseline cognitive symptoms, improvement was significantly greater for cariprazine- versus placebo-treated patients on YMRS total score (−16.7 vs −8.2; P&lt;.0001) and the individual PANSS cognitive subscale items of conceptual disorganization (−1.1 vs −0.5; P=.0004), difficulty in abstract thinking (−0.8 vs −0.3; P=.0044), stereotyped thinking (−0.3 vs −0.1; P=.0350), and poor attention (−1.1 vs −0.6; P=.0043).ConclusionIn patients with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, cariprazine versus placebo was effective in improving cognitive symptoms in the overall patient population as well as in patients with baseline cognitive symptoms. In addition, cariprazine versus placebo also demonstrated efficacy in improving manic symptoms in patients with baseline cognitive symptoms. These results suggest that cariprazine may provide benefits for the treatment of cognitive symptoms in patients with bipolar I mania.FundingAbbVie Inc.

Effects of topiramate on neural responses to alcohol cues in treatment-seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder: preliminary findings from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Topiramate, a GABA/glutamate modulator, is efficacious in reducing alcohol consumption, though the mechanisms underlying this effect are not well characterized. This study analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 22 heavy drinkers enrolled in a 12-week placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of topiramate to examine the effects of topiramate on alcohol cue-elicited brain responses, craving, and heavy drinking in individuals with DSM-5 alcohol use disorder. Patients were randomized to receive either topiramate (maximal daily dosage of 200 mg/day) or placebo and were administered an fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task at baseline (before starting medication) and after 6 weeks of double-blind treatment. Analyses compared the topiramate (n = 12) and placebo (n = 8) groups on (1) the change in brain responses during alcohol cue exposure (vs non-alcohol cues) within five a priori regions of interest related to reward—the bilateral and medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and bilateral ventral striatum (VS) and (2) change in craving and heavy drinking days (HDDs) from baseline and scan 2. Topiramate, relative to placebo, reduced alcohol cue-elicited activation of the left VS, bilateral OFC, and medial OFC, alcohol cue-elicited craving, and HDDs between baseline and 6 weeks of treatment. The reduction in alcohol cue-elicited activation in the medial OFC correlated with reductions in craving, and reduced activation in the right VS, right OFC, and medial OFC correlated with the reduction in HDD. This preliminary study provides evidence that topiramate’s attenuation of alcohol cue-elicited brain activation and craving are key elements of the drug’s neurobiological mechanism of action in reducing heavy drinking.

Naltrexone + Bupropion Combination for the Treatment of Binge-eating Disorder with Obesity: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

PurposeBinge-eating disorder (BED), the most prevalent eating disorder, is associated strongly with obesity and functional impairments. Few evidence-based treatments for BED exist; a pharmacotherapy effective in reducing both binge eating and weight needs to be identified. This placebo-controlled double-blind pilot RCT evaluated the acute effects of naltrexone + bupropion (NB) on BED with obesity and examined the longer-term effects through 6-month follow-up after the discontinuation of medication. MethodsTwenty-two adult patients with BED were randomized to receive 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with fixed-dose NB (naltrexone + bupropion XL 50/300 mg) or placebo. Independent (blinded) researcher–clinicians evaluated patients at major outcome time points (baseline, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up after the treatment period); patients were also evaluated for the tracking of course/tolerability throughout treatments and at 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes were changes from baseline in binge-eating frequency and percentage weight. Secondary outcomes were changes in eating-disorder psychopathology and depression. FindingsA total of 22 patients were enrolled (86.4% women; mean age, 50.4 years), with 77.3% of patients completing treatments; completion rates (NB, 83.3%; placebo, 70.0%) and adverse events did not differ significantly between NB and placebo. Analyses revealed significant reductions from baseline in binge-eating, eating-disorder psychopathology, depression, and weight during treatment, but these changes with NB did not differ significantly from those with placebo. The percentage of patients who attained 3% weight loss was significantly greater with NB than with placebo (45.5% vs 0%); weight-loss and binge-eating reductions were significantly correlated in the group that received NB. At 6-month follow-up, outcomes remained improved relative to baseline, with no significant differences between NB and placebo. ImplicationsThe findings from this pilot RCT suggest that NB was well-tolerated in these patients with BED and comorbid obesity. Most outcomes were not statistically different between NB and placebo. A larger-scale, adequately powered RCT is needed for determining the efficacy of NB in the treatment of BED. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02317744.

An Adaptive, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study of Oral FT-4202, a Pyruvate Kinase Activator in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (PRAISE)

An Adaptive, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study of Oral FT-4202, a Pyruvate Kinase Activator in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (PRAISE)

The Glycemic Effect of Liraglutide Evaluated by Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Dialysis

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of liraglutide treatment on glucose variability and the risk of hypoglycemia by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Materials and Methods: We assessed CGM data from a previous trial where 24 persons with T2D and dialysis-dependent ESRD were allocated (1:1) to 12 weeks of double-blinded treatment with liraglutide (titrated to maximum tolerable dose up to 1.8 mg) or placebo as an add-on to preexisting antidiabetic treatment. CGM (Ipro2^®; Medtronic) was performed for up to 7 days at baseline and at weeks 2, 6, and 10. A linear mixed model was used to compare the 2 study arms. Results: A CGM was worn at baseline by 12 persons in the liraglutide group and 10 in the placebo group (7 and 9 completed week 10, respectively). Glycated hemoglobin A_1c (p = 0.81) and glucose variability was similar between the groups (standard deviation, p = 0.33; coefficient of variation, p = 0.16). Comparing baseline and week 10, the number of hypoglycemic events (glucose values between <3.9 and 3.0 mmol/L) increased in the liraglutide group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.02). The occurrence of hypoglycemic events below 3.0 mmol/L was similar between the groups (p = 0.36). Conclusions: In the present cohort of persons with T2D and dialysis-dependent ESRD, liraglutide treatment increased the risk of hypoglycemic events as compared to placebo (no difference was found for hypoglycemic events below 3.0 mmol/L). The majority of participants were co-treated with insulin.

Safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia: results of a 2-year, open-label extension study.

Minimal long-term benefit: Risk data are available regarding antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia in pediatric populations. This study evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of lurasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia. Patients aged from 13 to 17 who completed 6weeks of double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled treatment with lurasidone were enrolled in a 2-year, open-label (OL), flexible dose (20-80mg/day) lurasidone treatment study. Safety was assessed via spontaneous reporting, rating scales, body weight measurement, metabolic, and prolactin testing. Effectiveness measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. About 271 patients completed 6weeks of DB treatment and entered the 2-year OL extension study. Altogether, 42.4% discontinued prematurely, 10.7% due to adverse events. During OL treatment, the most common adverse events were headache (24.0%); anxiety (12.9%), schizophrenia, and nausea (12.5%); sedation/somnolence (12.2%); and nasopharyngitis (8.9%). Minimal changes were observed on metabolic parameters and prolactin. Mean change from DB baseline in weight at week 52 and week 104 was +3.3kg and+4.9kg, respectively, compared to an expected weight gain of +3.4kg and+5.7kg, respectively, based on the sex- and age-matched US Center for Disease Control normative data. Continued improvement was observed in PANSS total score, with mean change from OL baseline of -15.6 at week 52 and -18.4 at week 104. In adolescents with schizophrenia, long-term lurasidone treatment was associated with minimal effects on body weight, lipids, glycemic indices, and prolactin. Continued improvement in symptoms of schizophrenia was observed over 2years of lurasidone treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of Dasotraline in Adults With Binge-Eating Disorder: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Flexible-Dose Clinical Trial.

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder; however, few evidence-based treatments are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dasotraline, a novel dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in adults with BED. Patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of BED (intent-to-treat sample, N = 315) were randomized to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with once-daily, flexible doses (4, 6, or 8 mg/d) of dasotraline or placebo. Primary endpoint was change in diary-based assessment of number of binge-eating days per week at week 12. Key secondary endpoints included changes from baseline in Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Binge-Eating (YBOCS-BE) and percentage of subjects with cessation of binge eating in the final 4 weeks. Treatment with dasotraline was associated with a significantly greater reduction in binge-eating days per week at study endpoint (vs placebo; least squares mean [SE] difference score, -0.99 [0.17]; P < .0001; effect size [ES], 0.74). Significant endpoint improvement was observed for the 3 key secondary measures, CGI-S (P < .0001; ES, 0.95), YBOCS-BE (P < .0001; ES, 0.96), and 4-week cessation of binge eating (46.5% vs 20.6%; P < .0001). The most common adverse events in the dasotraline vs placebo groups were insomnia (44.6% vs 8.1%), dry mouth (27.4% vs 5.0%), decreased appetite (19.7% vs 6.9%), and anxiety (17.8% vs 2.5%). Discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 11.3% of patients on dasotraline vs 2.5% on placebo. The results of this placebo-controlled, double-blind study found dasotraline to be an efficacious, safe, and generally well-tolerated treatment for BED. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02564588.

Major depressive disorder with mixed features and treatment response to lurasidone: A symptom network model

To investigate the symptom network structure of major depressive disorder (MDD) with mixed features and implications for treatment. In this post-hoc analysis of a previously reported randomized trial, patients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD presenting with two or three manic symptoms (DSM-5 mixed features specifier) were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone 20-60mg/d (N=109) or placebo (N=100). The network structure of symptoms at baseline and their treatment moderating effects were investigated. Network analyses showed that both ``elevated mood'' (YMRS item 1) and ``increased motor activity-energy'' (YMRS item 2) were associated with ``sleep disturbance'' ("bridge" symptom) and the depressive symptom cluster. Presence of both "elevated mood" and "increased motor activity-energy" at baseline predicted significantly less improvement in MADRS and CGI-S score at week 6 with lurasidone (vs. placebo) compared to patients without these manic symptoms at baseline. The network model also showed "rapid/pressured speech" (YMRS item 6) at baseline predicted improvement in both manic and depressive symptoms with lurasidone vs. placebo treatment. This was a post-hoc analysis where findings need to be confirmed by prospective controlled studies. This post-hoc analysis describes the symptom network structure of MDD with mixed features in a patient sample at study baseline. Specific manic symptoms were found to be linked to sleep disturbance (characterized as a "bridge" symptom), which in turn linked the manic and depressive symptom clusters. The presence (vs. absence) of the specific manic symptoms we identified moderated the antidepressant and antimanic effects of lurasidone in the treatment of MDD with mixed (subthreshold hypomanic) features.

Ruxolitinib cream for treatment of vitiligo: a randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting in skin depigmentation and reduced quality of life. There is no approved treatment for vitiligo repigmentation and current off-label therapies have limited efficacy, emphasising the need for improved treatment options. We investigated the therapeutic potential of ruxolitinib cream in patients with vitiligo and report the efficacy and safety results up to 52 weeks of double-blind treatment. We did a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 2 study for adult patients with vitiligo in 26 US hospitals and medical centres in 18 states. Patients with depigmentation of 0·5% or more of their facial body surface area (BSA) and 3% or more of their non-facial BSA were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1) by use of an interactive response technology system to receive ruxolitinib cream (1·5% twice daily, 1·5% once daily, 0·5% once daily, or 0·15% once daily) or vehicle (control group) twice daily on lesions constituting 20% or less of their total BSA for 24 weeks. Patients in the control group in addition to patients in the 0·15% once daily group who did not show a 25% or higher improvement from baseline in facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) at week 24 were re-randomised to one of three higher ruxolitinib cream doses (0·5% once daily, 1·5% once daily, 1·5% twice daily). Patients in the 0·5% once daily, 1·5% once daily, or 1·5% twice daily groups remained at their original dose up to week 52. Patients, investigators, and the study sponsor (except members of the interim analysis and primary endpoint analysis data monitoring teams) remained masked to treatment assignment throughout the study. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a 50% or higher improvement from baseline in F-VASI (F-VASI50) at week 24, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03099304. Between June 7, 2017, and March 21, 2018, 205 patients were screened for eligibility, 48 were excluded and 157 patients (mean age, 48·3 years [SD 12·9]; 73 [46%] male and 84 [54%] female) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or the control group. 32 (20%) of 157 were assigned to the control group, 31 (20%) to the 0·15% once daily group, 31 (20%) to the 0·5% once daily group, 30 (19%) to the 1·5% once daily group, and 33 (21%) to the 1·5% twice daily group. F-VASI50 at week 24 was reached by significantly more patients given ruxolitinib cream at 1·5% twice daily (15 [45%] of 33) and 1·5% once daily (15 [50%] of 30) than were treated with vehicle (one [3%] of 32). Four patients had serious treatment-emergent adverse events (one patient in the 1·5% twice daily group developed subdural haematoma; one patient in the 1·5% once daily group had a seizure; one patient in the 0·5% once daily group had coronary artery occlusion; and one patient in the 0·5% once daily group had oesophageal achalasia), all of which were unrelated to study treatment. Application site pruritus was the most common treatment-related adverse event among patients given ruxolitinib cream (one [3%] of 33 in the 1·5% twice daily group; three [10%] of 30 in the 1·5% once daily group; three [10%] of 31 in the 0·5% once daily group; and six [19%] of 31 in the 0·15% once daily group)with three [9%] of 32 patients showing application site pruritis in the control group. Acne was noted as a treatment-related adverse event in 13 (10%) of 125 patients who received ruxolitinib cream and one (3%) of 32 patients who received vehicle cream. All treatment-related adverse events were mild or moderate in severity and similar across treatment groups. Treatment with ruxolitinib cream was associated with substantial repigmentation of vitiligo lesions up to 52 weeks of treatment, and all doses were well tolerated. These data suggest that ruxolitinib cream might be an effective treatment option for patients with vitiligo. Incyte.

Efficacy and safety of dasotraline in adults with binge-eating disorder: a randomized, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose clinical trial.

The aim of this fixed-dose study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dasotraline in the treatment of patients with binge-eating disorder (BED). Patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for BED were randomized to 12weeks of double-blind treatment with fixed doses of dasotraline (4 and 6mg/d), or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in number of binge-eating (BE) days per week at week 12. Secondary efficacy endpoints included week 12 change on the BE CGI-Severity Scale (BE-CGI-S) and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for BE (YBOCS-BE). At week 12, treatment with dasotraline was associated with significant improvement in number of BE days per week on the dose of 6mg/d (N=162) vs placebo (N=162; -3.47 vs -2.92; P=.0045), but not 4mg/d (N=161; -3.21). Improvement vs placebo was observed for dasotraline 6 and 4mg/d, respectively, on the BE-CGI-S (effect size [ES]: 0.37 and 0.27) and on the YBOCS-BE total score (ES: 0.43 and 0.29). The most common adverse events on dasotraline were insomnia, dry mouth, headache, decreased appetite, nausea, and anxiety. Changes in blood pressure and pulse were minimal. Treatment with dasotraline 6mg/d (but not 4mg/d) was associated with significantly greater reduction in BE days per week. Both doses of dasotraline were generally safe and well-tolerated and resulted in global improvement on the BE-CGI-S, as well as improvement in BE related obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviors on the YBOCS-BE. These results confirm the findings of a previous flexible dose study.

159 Safety and Efficacy of Lurasidone in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Depression: Results from a 2-Year Open-label Extension Study

Bipolar I disorder frequently has an early onset, with an estimated prevalence rate of 1.8% in pediatric populations. Early onset is associated with a high degree of chronicity; however, limited data are available on the long-term efficacy of drug therapies in pediatric populations. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of lurasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar depression. Patients 10-17 years with bipolar I depression were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind (DB) treatment with lurasidone or placebo. Patients who completed the study were eligible to enroll in a 2-year, open-label (OL) extension study in which patients were continued on flexibly-dosed lurasidone (20-80 mg/d; LUR-LUR) or switched from placebo to lurasidone (PBO-LUR). The primary efficacy measure was the Children's Depression Rating Scale, Revised (CDRS-R); response was defined as ≥50% reduction from DB baseline in the CDRS-R total score. A total of 306 patients completed the 6-week DB study and entered the extension study; 195 (63.7%) completed 52 weeks, and 168 (54.9%) completed 104 weeks of treatment. Mean CDRS-R total score at DB baseline was 59.4 in patients treated with lurasidone, and 58.7 in patients treated with placebo; and mean CDRS-R total score at OL baseline (after 6 weeks of DB treatment) was 36.6 in the LUR-LUR group and 41.9 in the PBO-LUR group. For the total sample of patients in the OL study, mean change (from OL baseline) in the CDRS-R score was -13.4 at week 52 and -16.4 at week 104; and responder rates were 51.0% at OL baseline (64.5% for LUR-LUR; 36.9% for PBO-LUR), 88.4% at week 52, and 91.1% at week 104. During OL treatment with lurasidone, 31 patients (10.1%) discontinued due to an adverse event. The most commonly reported events were headache (23.9%), nausea (16.4%), and somnolence (9.8%). OL treatment with lurasidone was associated with few effects on metabolic parameters or prolactin. Mean change from DB baseline in weight was +4.25 kg at week 52 (vs. an expected weight gain of 3.76 kg based on CDC normative data), and +6.75 kg at week 104 (vs. CDC expected weight gain of 6.67 kg). Two years of treatment with lurasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar depression was generally well-tolerated, with relatively low rates of study discontinuation. Lurasidone treatment was associated with few effects on weight, metabolic parameters, and prolactin. Patients also continued to experience improvement in depressive symptoms during long-term treatment with lurasidone.Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01914393. Supported by funding from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

C-reactive protein and response to lurasidone treatment in children and adolescents with bipolar I depression: Results from a placebo-controlled trial

This study sought to investigate associations between levels of high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP) prior to treatment and change in depressive symptoms and cognition in a short-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lurasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar I depression. Patients 10–17 years of age with a DSM-5 diagnosis of bipolar I depression were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with flexibly dosed lurasidone (20–80 mg/day) (n = 173) or placebo (n = 170). The primary efficacy measure was change from baseline to week 6 in the Children’s Depression Rating Scale, Revised (CDRS-R). Treatment response was defined as 50% or greater improvement on the CDRS-R from baseline to week 6. Cognitive function was evaluated with the computerized Brief Cogstate Battery at baseline and week 6. Analyses were adjusted for baseline BMI, as well as age. HsCRP was evaluated as a logarithmically transformed continuous variable and as a categorical variable dichotomized into lower (<1 mg/L) and higher (≥1 mg/L) subgroups. A significant interaction was found between baseline hsCRP and treatment group for change in CDRS-R score at study endpoint, with larger placebo-corrected effect sizes for lurasidone in the higher baseline hsCRP group (≥1 mg/L). A significant BMI-by-hsCRP-by-treatment interaction was found for response rate with higher baseline hsCRP levels associated with greater antidepressant response to lurasidone (vs. placebo) in the normal BMI range subgroup (NNT = 2 in higher hsCRP vs. NNT = 5 in lower hsCRP groups) but not in the overweight/obese patients (NNT = 6 in higher hsCRP vs. NNT = 5 in lower hsCRP). Similarly, a significant interaction effect was observed for the combination of hsCRP and BMI on the procognitive effect of lurasidone, with higher baseline hsCRP levels being associated with improvement in cognitive function for lurasidone (vs placebo) in the normal BMI range subgroup but not in overweight/obese patients. These results suggest that young patients with bipolar depression with normal weight and higher levels of pre-treatment CRP may show a greater placebo-adjusted improvement in depressive symptoms and cognitive performance when treated with lurasidone. If these findings are confirmed in future prospective studies, CRP and BMI may prove to be useful diagnostic and predictive biomarkers in the treatment with lurasidone of children and adolescents with bipolar depression.

Seizure self-prediction in a randomized controlled trial of stress management.

Using electronic diaries as part of a randomized controlled trial of stress reduction for epilepsy, we evaluated factors associated with successful seizure self-prediction. Adults with medication-resistant focal epilepsy were recruited from 3 centers and randomized to treatment with progressive muscle relaxation or control focused attention. An 8-week baseline was followed by 12 weeks of double-blind treatment. Twice daily, participants rated the likelihood of a seizure in the next 24 hours on a 5-point scale from very unlikely to almost certain, along with mood, premonitory symptoms, stress ratings, and seizure counts. We analyzed the association of mood, premonitory symptoms, stress, and circadian influences on seizure self-prediction. Sixty-four participants completed the trial (3,126 seizures). Diary entry adherence was >82%. Participant self-prediction was associated with seizure occurrence at 6, 12, and 24 hours (p < 0.0001). Odds ratio (OR) of seizure prediction increased systematically with participants' prediction of seizure likelihood (p < 0.0001, all levels of prediction and all time intervals). For the 12-hour prediction window, median specificity for seizure prediction was 0.94 and negative predictive value 0.94; median sensitivity was 0.10 and positive predictive value 0.13. A subset of 13 participants (20% of sample) met criteria for good predictors (median OR for seizure prediction 5.25). Mood, stress, premonitory symptoms, seizure time, and randomized group were not associated with seizure occurrence. In this prospective study, participants' prediction of a high probability of seizure was significantly associated with subsequent seizure occurrence within 24 hours. Future studies should focus on understanding factors that drive self-prediction. NCT01444183.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis with ruxolitinib cream (JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor) or triamcinolone cream

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly pruritic chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Ruxolitinib, a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 and Janus kinase 2, potently suppresses cytokine signaling involved in AD pathogenesis. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib (RUX) cream in adults with AD. In this phase 2 study (NCT03011892), 307 adult patients with AD, an Investigator's Global Assessment score of 2 or 3 (mild or moderate), and 3% to 20% affected body surface area were equally randomized for 8 weeks of double-blind treatment to RUX (1.5% twice daily [BID], 1.5% once daily [QD], 0.5% QD, 0.15% QD), vehicle, or triamcinolone cream (0.1% BID for 4 weeks, then vehicle for 4 weeks). Subsequently, patients could apply 1.5% RUX BID for 4 additional weeks of open-label treatment. The primary end point was the comparison between 1.5% RUX cream BID and vehicle in mean percentage change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index at week 4. All RUX regimens demonstrated therapeutic benefit at week 4; 1.5% BID provided the greatest improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (71.6% vs 15.5%; P< .0001) and Investigator's Global Assessment responses (38.0% vs 7.7%; P< .001) versus vehicle. Rapid reductions in the itch numerical rating scale score occurred within 36 hours (1.5% BID vs vehicle, ‒1.8 vs ‒0.2; P< .0001) and were sustained through 12 weeks. Patients who transitioned to 1.5% RUX BID improved in all measures. RUX was not associated with clinically significant application-site reactions. RUX cream provided rapid and sustained improvements in AD symptoms and was well tolerated.

Efficacy of fremanezumab by country in patients with documented inadequate response to 2-4 classes of migraine preventive medications in the multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled focus study

The FOCUS phase 3b study of fremanezumab was the first and largest study of a migraine preventive treatment in adults with episodic or chronic migraine (EM or CM) and documented inadequate response (poor response, intolerability, or contraindication/unsuitability) to 2-4 classes of migraine preventive medications. Efficacy by country was an exploratory endpoint. After IRB approval, 838 patients were randomised (1:1:1) to monthly fremanezumab (month1: CM, 675mg; EM, 225mg; months2/3: 225mg), quarterly fremanezumab (month1: 675mg; months2/3: placebo), or matched monthly placebo for 12 weeks of double-blind treatment. Change from baseline in the monthly average number of migraine headache days over 12 weeks (primary endpoint) was evaluated by country for all migraine patients (EM and CM combined). Of 14 countries contributing data, the Czech Republic (n=188;22%), United States (n=120;14%), and Finland (n=85;10%) enrolled the most patients. Baseline monthly average numbers of migraine headache days were lower in the Czech Republic (Table). Changes from baseline in the monthly average numbers of migraine headache days over 12 weeks were significantly greater with both fremanezumab dosing regimens versus placebo for patients in the Czech Republic, United States, or Finland (all P ≤0.0123; Table). Monthly and quarterly fremanezumab significantly reduced the monthly average number of migraine headache days versus placebo regardless of country and continent (North America versus Europe) in migraine patients with documented inadequate response to 2-4 migraine preventive medication classes.

Reversion from chronic to episodic migraine in patients with inadequate response to 2-4 classes of migraine preventive treatments in the focus phase 3b study

Reversion rates from chronic migraine (CM) to episodic migraine (EM) and changes in monthly number of migraine days were evaluated in this post-hoc analysis of the FOCUS phase 3b study of fremanezumab for migraine prevention. Following IRB approval, CM patients were randomised (1:1:1) to quarterly fremanezumab (month1: 675mg; months 2/3: placebo), monthly fremanezumab (month1: 675mg; months 2/3: 225mg), or matched monthly placebo for 12 weeks of double-blind treatment. Reversion rates were defined as: A) ≥15 headache days (HDs) at baseline but <15 HDs at all 3 months or B) ≥15 HDs at baseline but <15 HDs on average over 12 weeks. At baseline, 167, 167, and 172 patients had CM in the placebo, quarterly fremanezumab, and monthly fremanezumab groups, respectively. Using definition A, 18(11%) with placebo, 59(35%) with quarterly fremanezumab, and 59(34%) with monthly fremanezumab patients reverted to EM. Using definition B, 50(30%), 81(49%) and 91(53%) patients, respectively, reverted. Among reverters, mean changes from baseline in monthly migraine days with placebo, quarterly fremanezumab, and monthly fremanezumab, respectively, were –5.6, –8.2, and –8.4 at 4 weeks and –5.6, –7.8, and –8.6 at 12 weeks for definition A, and –4.7, –7.4, and –7.2 at 4 weeks and –5.3, –7.0, and –7.6 at 12 weeks for definition B. Regardless of definition, higher proportions of CM patients with an inadequate response to 2–4 classes of migraine preventive treatments reverted to EM with fremanezumab versus placebo. Among reverters, clinically meaningful reductions in monthly migraine days were observed with both fremanezumab dosing regimens.

Reduction in migraine days with aura with fremanezumab in patients with documented inadequate response to 2-4 classes of migraine preventive medications in the focus study

The FOCUS phase 3b study of fremanezumab was the first and largest study of a migraine preventive treatment in adults with both episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) and documented inadequate response to 2-4 classes of migraine preventive medications. This post-hoc analysis evaluated change from baseline in monthly number of migraine days with aura. FOCUS was an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3b study. After Institutional Review Board approval, 838 patients were randomised (1:1:1) to quarterly fremanezumab (month 1: 675 mg; months 2/3: placebo), monthly fremanezumab (month 1: CM, 675 mg; EM, 225 mg; months 2/3: 225 mg), or matched monthly placebo for 12 weeks of double-blind treatment. Changes from baseline in monthly number of migraine days with aura were evaluated and compared using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Aura was identified based on the following 2 questions: “Did you experience something like seeing spots, stars, lines, flashing lights, zigzag lines, or ‘heat waves’ around the time of your headache?”; “Did you have feelings such as numbness or tingling in any part of your body or face around the time of your headache?” Reductions from baseline in the monthly number of migraine days with aura at Week 4 and during the 12-week treatment period were significantly greater with both fremanezumab dosing regimens versus placebo (all P ≤ 0.0062; Table). Quarterly and monthly fremanezumab significantly reduced the monthly number of migraine days with aura versus placebo in patients with migraine and documented inadequate response to 2–4 classes of migraine preventive medications.