Efficacy and Safety of MK-1942 When Added to Stable Antidepressant Therapy in Participants With Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) (MK-1942-006)

Sponsor
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (Industry)
Overall Status
Recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT04663321
Collaborator
(none)
140
31
3
28
4.5
0.2

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The main purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of daily and intermittent dosing of MK-1942 compared to placebo among participants with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) on a stable course of antidepressant therapy. The dual primary hypotheses of the study are that the daily MK-1942 treatment and/or intermittent MK-1942 treatment are superior to placebo in reducing Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
Phase 2

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Anticipated Enrollment :
140 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Masking:
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Masking Description:
Double
Primary Purpose:
Treatment
Official Title:
A Phase 2a, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-1942 Added to Stable Antidepressant Therapy in Participants With Treatment-Resistant Depression
Actual Study Start Date :
May 20, 2021
Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
Sep 19, 2023
Anticipated Study Completion Date :
Sep 19, 2023

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: MK-1942 Daily Dose Group

Participants receive a total daily dose titrated from 5 mg to 20 mg of MK-1942 twice daily (BID), orally, over 4 weeks of treatment duration: 5 mg in Week 1, 10 mg in Week 2, and 20 mg in Weeks 3 and 4. Participants receive MK-1942 and matching placebo packaged in blister cards with an equal number of capsules administered in the morning and evening regardless of treatment assignment.

Drug: MK-1942
MK-1942 (5 mg or 10 mg capsules) titrated from 5 mg to 20 mg dose BID or 10 mg BIW over 4 weeks.

Drug: Placebo
Dose matched placebo capsules BID orally over 4 weeks.

Experimental: MK-1942 Intermittent Dose Group

Participants receive a total daily dose of 10 mg of MK-1942 twice weekly (BIW), orally, for Weeks 1-4. Participants receive MK-1942 and matching placebo packaged in blister cards with an equal number of capsules administered in the morning and evening regardless of treatment assignment.

Drug: MK-1942
MK-1942 (5 mg or 10 mg capsules) titrated from 5 mg to 20 mg dose BID or 10 mg BIW over 4 weeks.

Drug: Placebo
Dose matched placebo capsules BID orally over 4 weeks.

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Participants receive a dose-matched placebo BID, orally, for 4 weeks. Participants receive matching placebo packaged in blister cards with an equal number of capsules administered in the morning and evening regardless of treatment assignment.

Drug: Placebo
Dose matched placebo capsules BID orally over 4 weeks.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Change From Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score to Week 3 [Baseline, Week 3]

    The 10-item MADRS scale will be used to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms. Participants receiving daily dose of MK-1942 will be rated on 10 items, rated on a scale from 0 (normal, no symptom) to 6 (symptoms of maximum severity) with total scores ranging from 0 (normal/no symptom) to 60 (severe depression). Higher scores correspond to greater symptom severity. A negative change score indicates improvement. The longitudinal analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model will be used to report the mean change from baseline in the MADRS total score to Week 3.

  2. Change From Baseline in MADRS Total Score to Week 1 [Baseline, Week 1]

    The 10-item MADRS scale will be used to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms. Participants receiving intermittent dose of MK-1942 will be rated on 10 items, rated on a scale from 0 (normal, no symptom) to 6 (symptoms of maximum severity) with total scores ranging from 0 (normal/no symptom) to 60 (severe depression). Higher scores correspond to greater symptom severity. A negative change score indicates improvement. The longitudinal analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model will be used to report the mean change from baseline in the MADRS total score to Week 1.

  3. Number of Participants Who Experienced An Adverse Event (AE) [Up to approximately 6 Weeks]

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

  4. Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE [Up to approximately 4 Weeks]

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

  1. Change From Baseline in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) Total Score to Week 3 [Baseline, Week 3]

    The 17 item HAM-D17 scale will be used to evaluate the depressive symptoms experienced over the past week among participants who received daily dose of MK-1942. Participants will be rated using 17 individual items. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 2 or 0 to 4 reflective of severity (0 being absence of symptom and higher scores being more severe), with total scores ranging from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 52 (most severe symptoms). Higher scores correspond to greater symptom. A negative change score indicates improvement. The longitudinal ANCOVA model will be used to report the mean change from baseline in HAM-D17 total score to Week 3.

  2. Change From Baseline in the HAM-D17 Scale Total Score to Week 1 [Baseline, Week 1]

    The 17 item HAM-D17 scale will be used to evaluate the depressive symptoms experienced over the past week among participants who received intermittent dose of MK-1942. Participants will be rated using 17 individual items. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 2 or 0 to 4 reflective of severity (0 being absence of symptom and higher scores being more severe), with total scores ranging from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 52 (most severe symptoms). Higher scores correspond to greater symptom severity. A negative change score indicates improvement. The longitudinal ANCOVA model will be used to report the mean change from baseline in HAM-D17 total score to Week 1.

  3. Change From Baseline in the Clinician Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Total Score to Week 3 [Baseline, Week 3]

    A single-item CGI-S scale will be used to assess the severity of depression among participants who received daily dose of MK-1942. The CGI-S is rated on a 7-point scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal, not at all ill) to 7 (among the most extremely ill patients). Higher score corresponds to greater symptom severity. A negative change score indicates improvement. The longitudinal ANCOVA model will be used to report the mean change from baseline in CGI-S score to Week 3.

  4. Change From Baseline in the CGI-S Total Score to Week 1 [Baseline, Week 1]

    A single-item CGI-S scale will be used to assess the severity of depression among participants who received intermittent dose of MK-1942. The CGI-S is rated on a 7-point scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal, not at all ill) to 7 (among the most extremely ill patients). Higher score corresponds to greater symptom severity. A negative change score indicates improvement. The longitudinal ANCOVA model will be used to report the mean change from baseline in CGI-S score to Week 1.

  5. Mean Plasma Concentration of MK-1942 plasma concentration [Week 0 (Day 1): Predose and 1-hour postdose and Weeks 1, 2, 3 & 4: Predose]

    Blood samples will be collected at predetermined predose and postdose specified timepoints to report the mean plasma concentration of MK-1942 at prespecified timepoints.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
No
Inclusion Criteria:
  • Meets the diagnostic criteria for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD) without psychotic features according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria at Visit 1 (Screening)

  • Is currently experiencing an episode of moderate-to-severe MDD

  • Had an inadequate response to 1 to 4 different courses of antidepressant therapy for the current episode of moderate-to-severe MDD

  • Has been on a stable course of antidepressant therapy for ≥4 weeks before Visit 1 (Screening)

  • Has not initiated psychotherapy for depressive symptoms in the last 3 months before Visit 1 (Screening) and agrees not to initiate a new psychotherapy for depressive symptoms or to modify their current regimen of psychotherapy for depressive symptoms from Visit 1 (Screening) to Visit 9 (Post-dose Follow-up Visit)

  • Male participants are eligible if they agree to the following during the intervention period and for at least 7 days after last dose of study intervention: Be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) and agree to remain abstinent or agrees to use contraception unless confirmed to be azoospermic (vasectomized or secondary to medical cause)

  • A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) or a WOCBP who is not pregnant, breastfeeding, or within 3 months from postpartum. WOCBP should use contraceptive methods that are highly effective as per the study specifications or be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle, have a negative pregnancy test at screening, immediately prior to the first dosing event, and at regular intervals during the study period, and abstain from breastfeeding during the study intervention period and for at least 7 days after last study intervention

  • Has a reliable contact person

Exclusion Criteria:
  • Has an ongoing episode of MDD that started more than 2 years before Visit 1 (Screening)

  • Has a current or prior history of one or more of the following: a) diagnosis of a psychotic disorder b) chronic convulsive disorder, except febrile seizures during childhood c) neurodegenerative disorder, traumatic brain injury causing ongoing cognitive difficulties, or any chronic organic disease of the central nervous system

  1. intellectual disability of a severity that would affect the ability of the participant to participate in the study e) bipolar and related disorders, MDD with psychosis f) MDD with mixed features g) posttraumatic stress disorder if not in remission for at least 5 years before Visit 1 (Screening) h) obsessive-compulsive disorder i) autism spectrum disorder
  • Meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence disorder currently or within the 12 months before Visit 1 (Screening)

  • Has a known allergy or intolerance to the active or inert ingredients in MK-1942

  • Has a history of malignancy ≤3 years before Visit 1 (Screening) except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or in situ cervical cancer

  • Has a Body Mass Index (BMI) >40 kg/m2

  • Has HIV or nonstable hypothyroidism, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or respiratory disease

  • Failed to adequately respond to treatment with ketamine or esketamine for the current or a prior episode of MDD

  • Previously received electroconvulsive therapy within the past 10 years, deep brain stimulation, or vagal nerve stimulation for treatment of depression

  • Is imminent risk for self harm or harm to others

  • Is currently participating in or has previously participated in an interventional clinical study within the 2 months before Visit 1 (Screening), or has participated in

4 interventional clinical studies within the 2 years before Visit 1 (Screening)

  • Has known renal disease or is experiencing renal insufficiency

  • Routinely consumes >3 alcoholic drinks per day. One standard drink is defined as any beverage containing 14 gram (g) of pure alcohol

  • Requires use of a language interpreter to participate in the study

  • Had major surgery or donated or lost >1 unit of blood within the 4 weeks before Visit 1 (Screening)

  • Is pregnant or is currently breastfeeding or plans to breastfeed during the course of the study

  • Is a woman with <12 months of amenorrhea and is receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or an estrogen-based contraceptive

  • Is or has an immediate family member who is investigational site or Sponsor staff directly involved with this study

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
1 University of Alabama at Birmingham - School of Medicine-Psychiatry ( Site 1073) Birmingham Alabama United States 35233
2 Preferred Research Partners ( Site 1079) Little Rock Arkansas United States 72211
3 Woodland International Research Group ( Site 1017) Little Rock Arkansas United States 72211
4 Axiom Research ( Site 1053) Colton California United States 92324
5 Collaborative Neuroscience Network, LLC. ( Site 1032) Garden Grove California United States 92845
6 Institute of Living ( Site 1061) Hartford Connecticut United States 06106
7 Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc. dba CNS Healthcare ( Site 1039) Jacksonville Florida United States 32256
8 Innovative Clinical Research ( Site 1044) Lauderhill Florida United States 33319
9 Behavioral Clinical Research ( Site 1037) Miami Florida United States 33016
10 APG RESEARCH, LLC ( Site 1087) Orlando Florida United States 32803
11 Atlanta Center for Medical Research ( Site 1022) Atlanta Georgia United States 30331
12 iResearch Atlanta ( Site 1040) Decatur Georgia United States 30030
13 Psych Atlanta ( Site 1108) Marietta Georgia United States 30060
14 iResearch Savannah ( Site 1041) Savannah Georgia United States 31405
15 AMITA Health - St. Elizabeth Campus ( Site 1003) Chicago Illinois United States 60622
16 CBH Health ( Site 1076) Gaithersburg Maryland United States 20877
17 Boston Clinical Trials ( Site 1028) Boston Massachusetts United States 02131
18 University of Michigan-Psychiatry ( Site 1051) Ann Arbor Michigan United States 48026
19 Altea Research ( Site 1018) Las Vegas Nevada United States 89102
20 Hassman Research Institute ( Site 1036) Berlin New Jersey United States 08009
21 Global Medical Institutes LLC; Princeton Medical Institute ( Site 1049) Princeton New Jersey United States 08540
22 Manhattan Behavioral Medicine ( Site 1096) New York New York United States 10036
23 Clinical Trials of America, LLC ( Site 1103) Hickory North Carolina United States 28601
24 Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research ( Site 1045) North Canton Ohio United States 44720
25 Paradigm Research Professionals ( Site 1089) Oklahoma City Oklahoma United States 73118
26 Suburban Research Associates-Clinical Research ( Site 1042) Media Pennsylvania United States 19063
27 Penn Medicine: University of Pennsylvania Health System-Mood Disorders Treatment and Research Proga Philadelphia Pennsylvania United States 19104
28 Keystone Clinical Studies ( Site 1031) Plymouth Meeting Pennsylvania United States 19462
29 Baylor College of Medicine ( Site 1019) Houston Texas United States 77030
30 Cedar Clinical Research ( Site 1023) Draper Utah United States 84020
31 Woodstock Research Center ( Site 1084) Woodstock Vermont United States 05091

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Investigators

  • Study Director: Medical Director, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.
Responsible Party:
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT04663321
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • 1942-006
  • MK-1942-006
First Posted:
Dec 11, 2020
Last Update Posted:
Aug 9, 2022
Last Verified:
Aug 1, 2022
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
Yes
Plan to Share IPD:
Yes
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
Yes
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
No
Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Aug 9, 2022