A Study of ALKS 5461 for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - the FORWARD-3 Study

Sponsor
Alkermes, Inc. (Industry)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT02158546
Collaborator
(none)
447
58
2
19
7.7
0.4

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ALKS 5461.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Drug: ALKS 5461
  • Drug: Placebo
Phase 3

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Actual Enrollment :
447 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Masking:
Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Treatment
Official Title:
A Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Study of ALKS 5461 for the Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (the FORWARD-3 Study)
Study Start Date :
May 1, 2014
Actual Primary Completion Date :
Dec 1, 2015
Actual Study Completion Date :
Dec 1, 2015

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: ALKS 5461

Drug: ALKS 5461
Sublingual tablet, taken once daily (in addition to open-label treatment with a commercially available antidepressant)

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Drug: Placebo
Sublingual tablet, taken once daily (in addition to open-label treatment with a commercially available antidepressant)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Change From Baseline to End of Treatment (Week 6) in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score [Baseline and week 6]

    The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.

Secondary Outcome Measures

  1. Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10) [6 weeks]

    The proportion of subjects demonstrating MADRS-10 treatment response, defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in MADRS-10 score from baseline to the end of the efficacy period (week 6).

  2. Remission Rate [6 weeks]

    The proportion of subjects achieving remission, defined as a MADRS-10 score of ≤ 10 at the end of the efficacy period.

  3. Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs) [6 weeks]

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years to 70 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
No
Inclusion Criteria:
  • Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.0 to 40.0 kg/m2, inclusive

  • Agree to use an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of the study

  • Have a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) primary diagnosis

  • Have no more than 2 inadequate responses to antidepressant therapy (ADT) in the current Major Depressive Episode (MDE)

  • Additional criteria may apply

Exclusion Criteria:
  • Have a current primary Axis-I disorder other than MDD

  • Have used opioid agonists (eg, codeine, oxycodone, tramadol, morphine) or opioid antagonists (eg, naloxone, naltrexone) within 14 days

  • Have received electroconvulsive therapy treatment within the last 2 years or received more than one course of electroconvulsive treatment during lifetime

  • Have attempted suicide within the past 2 years

  • Have a positive test for drugs of abuse

  • Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

  • Have a history of intolerance, allergy, or hypersensitivity to buprenorphine or opioid antagonists (eg, naltrexone, naloxone)

  • Have had a significant blood loss or blood donation within 60 days

  • Additional criteria may apply

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
1 Alkermes Investigational Site Little Rock Arkansas United States 72211
2 Alkermes Investigational Site Bellflower California United States 90706
3 Alkermes Investigational Site Beverly Hills California United States 90210
4 Alkermes Investigational Site Glendale California United States 91206
5 Alkermes Investigational Site Los Alamitos California United States 90720
6 Alkermes Investigational Site Orange California United States 92868
7 Alkermes Investigational Site Redlands California United States 92374
8 Alkermes Investigational Site Temecula California United States 92591
9 Alkermes Investigational Site Washington District of Columbia United States 20016
10 Alkermes Investigational Site Hallandale Beach Florida United States 33009
11 Alkermes Investigational Site Hialeah Florida United States 33016
12 Alkermes Investigational Site Jacksonville Florida United States 32256
13 Alkermes Investigational Site Leesburg Florida United States 34748
14 Alkermes Investigational Site Maitland Florida United States 32751
15 Alkermes Investigational Site Tampa Florida United States 33613
16 Alkermes Investigational Site Atlanta Georgia United States 30331
17 Alkermes Investigational Site Chicago Illinois United States 60634
18 Alkermes Investigational Site Oak Brook Illinois United States 60523
19 Alkermes Investigational Site Vernon Hills Illinois United States 60061
20 Alkermes Investigational Site Indianapolis Indiana United States 46260
21 Alkermes Investigational Site Lafayette Indiana United States 47905
22 Alkermes Investigational Site Edgewood Kentucky United States 41017
23 Alkermes Investigational Washington DC Maryland United States 20016
24 Alkermes Investigational Site Brockton Massachusetts United States 02301
25 Alkermes Investigational Site Watertown Massachusetts United States 02472
26 Alkermes Investigational Site Kansas City Missouri United States 64114
27 Alkermes Investigational Site O'Fallon Missouri United States 63368
28 Alkermes Investigational Site Saint Louis Missouri United States 63109
29 Alkermes Investigational Site Cherry Hill New Jersey United States 08002
30 Alkermes Investigational Site Albuquerque New Mexico United States 87109
31 Alkermes Investigational Site Jamaica New York United States 11432
32 Alkermes Investigational Site New York New York United States 10023
33 Alkermes Investigational Site Staten Island New York United States 10312
34 Alkermes Investigational Site Charlotte North Carolina United States 28204
35 Alkermes Investigational Site Beachwood Ohio United States 44122
36 Alkermes Investigational Site Cincinnati Ohio United States 45215
37 Alkermes Investigational Site Cincinnati Ohio United States 45227
38 Alkermes Investigational Site Mason Ohio United States 45040
39 Alkermes Investigational Site Middleburg Heights Ohio United States 44130
40 Alkermes Investigational Site Portland Oregon United States 97210
41 Alkermes Investigational Site Salem Oregon United States 97301
42 Alkermes Investigational Site Philadelphia Pennsylvania United States 19104
43 Alkermes Investigational Site Charleston South Carolina United States 29407
44 Alkermes Investigational Site Memphis Tennessee United States 38119
45 Alkermes Investigational Site Dallas Texas United States 75231
46 Alkermes Investigational Site Dallas Texas United States 75309
47 Alkermes Investigational Site Houston Texas United States 77098
48 Alkermes Investigational Site Sugar Land Texas United States 77478
49 Alkermes Investigational Site Bellevue Washington United States 98007
50 Alkermes Investigational Site Waukesha Wisconsin United States 53188
51 Alkermes Investigational Site Bourgas Bulgaria 8001
52 Alkermes Investigational Site Kazanlak Bulgaria 6100
53 Alkermes Investigational Site Sofia Bulgaria 1113
54 Alkermes Investigational Site Sofia Bulgaria 1431
55 Alkermes Investigational Site Sofia Bulgaria 1632
56 Alkermes Investigational Site Varna Bulgaria 9020
57 Alkermes Investigational Site Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria 5000
58 Alkermes Investigational Site Vratza Bulgaria 3000

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Alkermes, Inc.

Investigators

  • Study Director: Sanjeev Pathak, MD, Alkermes, Inc.

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.
Responsible Party:
Alkermes, Inc.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT02158546
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • ALK5461-206
First Posted:
Jun 9, 2014
Last Update Posted:
Jun 25, 2019
Last Verified:
May 1, 2019

Study Results

Participant Flow

Recruitment Details Subjects were diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and had an inadequate response to 1 or 2 adequate courses of treatment with a commercially available antidepressant therapy (ADT) during the current major depressive episode (MDE). All subjects continued ADT for the duration of the study.
Pre-assignment Detail 2 cohorts of subjects were enrolled: Group 1- subjects with baseline HAM-D17 score ≥ 20; Group 2- subjects with baseline HAM-D17 score 18-19. Only Group 1 was included in the efficacy analysis. Study included a 4-week pbo run-in period prior to the 6-week treatment period. In Group 1, 102 subjects did not meet criteria for randomization.
Arm/Group Title Group 1 - ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 1 - Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 - Placebo
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to Placebo Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo
Period Title: Overall Study
STARTED 152 153 18 19
COMPLETED 133 136 14 13
NOT COMPLETED 19 17 4 6

Baseline Characteristics

Arm/Group Title Group 1 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 1 Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 Placebo Total
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo Total of all reporting groups
Overall Participants 147 148 15 15 325
Age (years) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ]
Mean (Standard Deviation) [years]
47.4
(12.31)
48.1
(12.51)
47.5
(12.63)
45.9
(11.44)
47.7
(12.33)
Sex: Female, Male (Count of Participants)
Female
88
59.9%
94
63.5%
8
53.3%
7
46.7%
197
60.6%
Male
59
40.1%
54
36.5%
7
46.7%
8
53.3%
128
39.4%
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) (Count of Participants)
Hispanic or Latino
23
15.6%
29
19.6%
2
13.3%
1
6.7%
55
16.9%
Not Hispanic or Latino
124
84.4%
119
80.4%
13
86.7%
14
93.3%
270
83.1%
Unknown or Not Reported
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Race (NIH/OMB) (Count of Participants)
American Indian or Alaska Native
2
1.4%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
2
0.6%
Asian
5
3.4%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
5
1.5%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1
0.7%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
1
0.3%
Black or African American
33
22.4%
33
22.3%
3
20%
2
13.3%
71
21.8%
White
106
72.1%
115
77.7%
12
80%
13
86.7%
246
75.7%
More than one race
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Unknown or Not Reported
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Region of Enrollment (Count of Participants)
United States
118
80.3%
128
86.5%
14
93.3%
12
80%
272
83.7%
Bulgaria
29
19.7%
20
13.5%
1
6.7%
3
20%
53
16.3%

Outcome Measures

1. Primary Outcome
Title Change From Baseline to End of Treatment (Week 6) in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score
Description The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.
Time Frame Baseline and week 6

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description
The Full Analysis Set (FAS) consists of subjects in the Group 1 Safety Population who have at least 1 post-randomization assessment of MADRS total score.
Arm/Group Title ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Placebo
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo
Measure Participants 142 146
Least Squares Mean (Standard Error) [units on a scale]
-4.8
(0.67)
-4.6
(0.66)
Statistical Analysis 1
Statistical Analysis Overview Comparison Group Selection ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg, Placebo
Comments
Type of Statistical Test Superiority
Comments
Statistical Test of Hypothesis p-Value 0.782
Comments
Method Mixed Models Analysis
Comments
Method of Estimation Estimation Parameter Least square means difference
Estimated Value -0.3
Confidence Interval (2-Sided) 95%
-2.1 to 1.6
Parameter Dispersion Type: Standard Error of the Mean
Value: 0.95
Estimation Comments
2. Secondary Outcome
Title Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)
Description The proportion of subjects demonstrating MADRS-10 treatment response, defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in MADRS-10 score from baseline to the end of the efficacy period (week 6).
Time Frame 6 weeks

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description
The FAS consists of subjects in the Group 1 Safety Population who have at least 1 post-randomization assessment of MADRS total score.
Arm/Group Title ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Placebo
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo
Measure Participants 142 146
Count of Participants [Participants]
24
16.3%
21
14.2%
3. Secondary Outcome
Title Remission Rate
Description The proportion of subjects achieving remission, defined as a MADRS-10 score of ≤ 10 at the end of the efficacy period.
Time Frame 6 weeks

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description
The FAS consists of subjects in the Group 1 Safety Population who have at least 1 post-randomization assessment of MADRS total score.
Arm/Group Title ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Placebo
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo
Measure Participants 142 146
Count of Participants [Participants]
20
13.6%
18
12.2%
4. Secondary Outcome
Title Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)
Description
Time Frame 6 weeks

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description
Safety population consisted of subjects who were identified as placebo non-responders at the end of the double-blind placebo run-in period and received at least one dose of randomized study drug (ie, placebo or ALKS 5461) subsequent to randomization.
Arm/Group Title ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 Placebo
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo
Measure Participants 147 148 15 15
Count of Participants [Participants]
63
42.9%
51
34.5%
11
73.3%
8
53.3%

Adverse Events

Time Frame AE reporting includes the 6-week double-blind, placebo-controlled period.
Adverse Event Reporting Description
Arm/Group Title Group 1 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 1 Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 Placebo
Arm/Group Description Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Randomized to placebo
All Cause Mortality
Group 1 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 1 Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 Placebo
Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events
Total 0/147 (0%) 0/148 (0%) 0/15 (0%) 0/15 (0%)
Serious Adverse Events
Group 1 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 1 Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 Placebo
Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events
Total 0/147 (0%) 1/148 (0.7%) 0/15 (0%) 0/15 (0%)
Cardiac disorders
Atrial fibrillation 0/147 (0%) 0 1/148 (0.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0
Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Events
Group 1 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 1 Placebo Group 2 ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg Group 2 Placebo
Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events
Total 39/147 (26.5%) 24/148 (16.2%) 11/15 (73.3%) 8/15 (53.3%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anaemia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Cardiac disorders
Bradycardia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Palpitations 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Tachycardia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Eye disorders
Eyelid oedema 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea 13/147 (8.8%) 14 1/148 (0.7%) 1 4/15 (26.7%) 7 2/15 (13.3%) 2
Vomiting 4/147 (2.7%) 4 2/148 (1.4%) 2 1/15 (6.7%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0
Constipation 3/147 (2%) 3 1/148 (0.7%) 1 3/15 (20%) 3 0/15 (0%) 0
Dry mouth 3/147 (2%) 3 2/148 (1.4%) 2 2/15 (13.3%) 2 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Diarrhoea 1/147 (0.7%) 1 3/148 (2%) 3 1/15 (6.7%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0
Flatulence 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Food poisoning 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Gingival pain 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 2
General disorders
Fatigue 4/147 (2.7%) 4 3/148 (2%) 3 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Infections and infestations
Upper respiratory tract infection 4/147 (2.7%) 5 3/148 (2%) 4 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Nasopharyngitis 3/147 (2%) 3 3/148 (2%) 3 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Influenza 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Epicondylitis 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Tooth fracture 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Investigations
Blood creatine phosphokinase increased 4/147 (2.7%) 4 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0
Blood pressure increased 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Urine output increased 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Metabolic syndorome 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle spasms 3/147 (2%) 3 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0
Arthralgia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Musculoskeletal chest pain 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Pain in extremity 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Nervous system disorders
Headache 6/147 (4.1%) 7 5/148 (3.4%) 7 4/15 (26.7%) 4 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Dizziness 1/147 (0.7%) 1 3/148 (2%) 3 2/15 (13.3%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0
Somnolence 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 2/15 (13.3%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0
Burning sensation 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Disturbance in attention 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Hypersomnia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Hypoaesthesia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0
Memory impairment 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Paraesthesia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0
Tension headache 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Psychiatric disorders
Abnormal dreams 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Insomnia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Nightmare 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Sleep disorder 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Initial insomnia 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Oropharyngeal pain 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Dermatitis contact 0/147 (0%) 0 0/148 (0%) 0 1/15 (6.7%) 1 0/15 (0%) 0
Vascular disorders
Hypertension 3/147 (2%) 3 2/148 (1.4%) 2 0/15 (0%) 0 0/15 (0%) 0

Limitations/Caveats

Pre-specified primary population data are shown. Data from one trial site were excluded as pre-specified due to data integrity concerns (18 subjects). Other excluded subjects did not receive randomized study drug.

More Information

Certain Agreements

Principal Investigators are NOT employed by the organization sponsoring the study.

Should an Investigator desire to disclose study results, Sponsor will review the results disclosure prior to public release and can embargo the disclosure for a period of at least 60 days. Revisions to the disclosure will be negotiated in good faith. For a multicenter study the Investigators agree to publish/publicly present the results together with the other sites for the 12 month period after study results are available unless Sponsor grants written permission in advance.

Results Point of Contact

Name/Title Eva Stroynowski
Organization Alkermes
Phone 781-609-7000
Email eva.stroynowski@alkermes.com
Responsible Party:
Alkermes, Inc.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT02158546
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • ALK5461-206
First Posted:
Jun 9, 2014
Last Update Posted:
Jun 25, 2019
Last Verified:
May 1, 2019