Dose-Finding Safety and Efficacy Trial of Org 50081 (Esmirtazapine) in the Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms (177001/P06472/MK-8265-013)

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Postmenopausal Symptoms; Menopause; Vasomotor Symptoms
• Interventions: Drug: Esmirtazapine; Drug: Placebo

• Registration Number: NCT00535288
• Lead Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Brief Summary

To investigate efficacy and safety of 4 doses of esmirtazapine, compared to placebo, in the treatment of moderate to severe hot flushes (vasomotor symptoms) associated with the menopause. Co-primary efficacy endpoints are the frequency and severity of hot flushes after 4 and 12 weeks as compared to Baseline.

Detailed Description

The most direct treatment of hot flushes may be by means of 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Mirtazapine is a potent blocker of 5-HT2A receptors and was found to be effective in reducing the number and intensity of hot flushes in preliminary trials. Also several Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and other similar compounds have been investigated to manage hot flushes, confirming the role of the serotonergic system. In the present trial, the efficacy and safety of four different doses of esmirtazapine compared to placebo were investigated in women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause. The primary objective of this trial was to demonstrate superior efficacy in at least one of the four doses of esmirtazapine as compared to placebo on the four following co-primary endpoints: 1) the mean change from baseline in average daily frequency of moderate and severe vasomotor symptoms at Week 4; 2) the mean change from baseline in average daily frequency of moderate and severe vasomotor symptoms at Week 12; 3) the mean change from baseline in average daily severity of moderate and severe vasomotor symptoms at Week 4; 4) the mean change from baseline in average daily severity of moderate and severe vasomotor symptoms at Week 12. The number and severity of hot flushes was recorded by means of electronic diary by the subjects.

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2004-09-15
• Primary Completion: 2006-01-15
• Study Completion: 2006-01-15
• Study First Submitted: 2007-09-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-09-25
• Study First Posted: 2007-09-26
• Results First Submitted: 2014-06-16
• Results First Submitted QC: 2014-07-29
• Results First Posted: 2014-07-30
• Status Verified: 2019-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-03-25
• Last Update Posted: 2019-04-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 946

Inclusion Criteria

• Postmenopausal women, defined as:

  • 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea;
  • OR 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels >40 mIU/mL;
  • OR 6 weeks post surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy.

• Be ≥ 40 and ≤ 65 years of age;

• Have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 18 and ≤ 32 kg/m^2;

• Minimum of 7 moderate to severe hot flushes per day or 50 per week, as quantified from daily diary recordings during at least 7 days preceding randomization to trial medication;

• Able to handle the electronic diary device after training and having at least 80% compliance on complete daily diary entries during the period prior to randomization;

• Give voluntary written Informed Consent (IC) after the scope and nature of the investigation had been explained, before screening evaluations.

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Exclusion Criteria

• History or presence of any malignancy, except non-melanoma skin cancers;

• Any clinically unstable or uncontrolled renal, hepatic, endocrine, respiratory, hematological, neurological, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease that would put the subject at safety risk or mask measure of efficacy;

• History of seizures or epilepsy;

• History or presence of clinically significant depression or other psychiatric disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, might compromise or confound the subject's participation in the trial;

• Abnormal clinically relevant vaginal bleeding;

• Any clinically relevant (opinion of investigator) abnormal finding during physical, gynecological and breast examination at screening;

• Abnormal, clinically significant results of mammography;

• Abnormal cervical smear test results (corresponding to Pap III and higher, including Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL), High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL), Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) 1 and higher);

• Hematological or biochemical values at screening outside the reference ranges considered clinically relevant in the opinion of the investigator;

• High Blood Pressure (BP);

• Use of any drug product containing estrogens, progestins, androgens or tibolone prior to screening (and up to and including randomization) within a pre-specified period;

• Any of the following treatments within the last 4 weeks prior to screening (and up to and including randomization):

  • tricyclic antidepressants, Serotonin Noradrenergic Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), SSRIs, Monoamine Oxidase (MAO)-inhibitors, mirtazapine
  • antianxiety drugs, antipsychotics
  • coumarin-derivatives
  • α-adrenergic agents
  • β-blockers
  • dopamine agonists/antagonists
  • opiates, barbiturates
  • raloxifene
  • homeopathic menopausal preparations or other preparations intended to treat climacteric or Central Nervous System (CNS) symptoms
  • hepatic microsomal enzyme-inducing drugs or drugs known to affect or interfere with the pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine;

• Any condition or disease that could affect or interfere with the pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine;

• Subjects sensitive to trial medication or its components;

• Use of any investigational drug and/or participation in another clinical trial within the last eight weeks prior to screening;

• History of alcohol and/or drug abuse within the last two years prior to screening.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Esmirtazapine 9 mg	Esmirtazapine	Participants receive esmirtazapine, 9 mg, encapsulated tablets, orally QD for up to 12 weeks.
Esmirtazapine 18 mg	Esmirtazapine	Participants receive esmirtazapine, 18 mg, encapsulated tablets, orally QD for up to 12 weeks.
Placebo	Placebo	Participants receive encapsulated tablets, orally, once daily (QD) for up to 12 weeks.
Esmirtazapine 2.25 mg	Esmirtazapine	Participants receive esmirtazapine, 2.25 mg, encapsulated tablets, orally QD for up to 12 weeks.
Esmirtazapine 4.5 mg	Esmirtazapine	Participants receive esmirtazapine, 4.5 mg, encapsulated tablets, orally QD for up to 12 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Frequency of Moderate/Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Frequency Score A) at Week 12	Baseline and Week 12	Participants recorded the frequency (number) of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. Frequency Score A was based on the number of moderate hot flushes + the number of severe hot flushes in one day. Baseline average was derived from, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. Weekly averages during treatment were calculated if at least 4 days with non-missing data were completely observed; if less than 4 days were completely observed, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Frequency of Moderate/Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Frequency Score A) at Week 4	Baseline and Week 4	Participants recorded the frequency (number) of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) on an electronic diary card (LogPad®) on a daily basis during screening and treatment. Frequency Score A was based on the number of moderate hot flushes + the number of severe hot flushes in one day. Baseline average was derived from, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. Weekly averages during treatment were calculated if at least 4 days with non-missing data were completely observed; if less than 4 days were completely observed, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (last observation carried forward, or LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Severity of Moderate/Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Severity Score A) at Week 4	Baseline and Week 4	Participants recorded the severity of hot flushes on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. The severity of hot flushes was defined as: mild (sensation of heat without sweating); moderate (sensation of heat with sweating, able to continue activity); and severe (sensation of heat with sweating, causing cessation of activity). Severity Score A was calculated as the number of moderate hot flushes x 2 + the number of severe hot flushes x 3, divided by the total number of moderate and severe hot flushes per week. If no hot flushes were experienced, this was to be recorded as 'no sensation of heat'. Baseline values were based on, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. If less than 4 days were completely observed during treatment, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Severity of Moderate/Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Severity Score A) at Week 12	Baseline and Week 12	Participants recorded the severity of hot flushes on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. The severity of hot flushes was defined as: mild (sensation of heat without sweating); moderate (sensation of heat with sweating, able to continue activity); and severe (sensation of heat with sweating, causing cessation of activity). Severity Score A was calculated as the number of moderate hot flushes x 2 + the number of severe hot flushes x 3, divided by the total number of moderate and severe hot flushes per week. If no hot flushes were experienced, this was to be recorded as 'no sensation of heat'. Baseline values were based on, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. If less than 4 days were completely observed during treatment, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Mild to Severe Composite Symptoms Score (Composite Score B) by Week	Baseline and up to Week 12	Composite Score B was calculated as Severity Score B x Frequency Score B.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Severity of Moderate/Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Severity Score A) by Week Excluding Weeks 4 and 12	Baseline and up to Week 12	Participants recorded the severity of hot flushes on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. The severity of hot flushes was defined as: mild (sensation of heat without sweating); moderate (sensation of heat with sweating, able to continue activity); and severe (sensation of heat with sweating, causing cessation of activity). Severity Score A was calculated as the number of moderate hot flushes x 2 + the number of severe hot flushes x 3, divided by the total number of moderate and severe hot flushes per week. If no hot flushes were experienced, this was to be recorded as 'no sensation of heat'. Baseline values were based on, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. If less than 4 days were completely observed during treatment, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Frequency of Moderate/Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Frequency Score A) by Week Excluding Weeks 4 and 12	Baseline and Up to Week 12	Participants recorded the frequency (number) of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. Frequency Score A was based on the number of moderate hot flushes + the number of severe hot flushes in one day. Baseline average was derived from, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. Weekly averages during treatment were calculated if at least 4 days with non-missing data were completely observed; if less than 4 days were completely observed, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Total Number of Responders by Week	Up to 12 weeks	A participant was defined as a (hot flush) responder for a study week if a reduction of at least 50% for average daily frequency of moderate/severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) (Frequency Score A) compared to Baseline was recorded. A study week was taken into account if at least 4 days were completely observed. The last observation was carried forward if there were less than 4 complete days observed. In cases where Week 1 did not have 4 days that were completely observed, the participant was considered a non-responder. An LOCF approach was used.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Severity of Mild to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Severity Score B) by Week	Baseline and up to Week 12	Participants recorded the severity of hot flushes on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. The severity of hot flushes was defined as: mild (sensation of heat without sweating); moderate (sensation of heat with sweating, able to continue activity); and severe (sensation of heat with sweating, causing cessation of activity). Severity Score B was calculated as the number of mild hot flushes + the number of moderate hot flushes x 2 + the number of severe hot flushes x 3, divided by the total number of all hot flushes per week. If no hot flushes were experienced, this was to be recorded as 'no sensation of heat'. Baseline values were based on, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. If less than 4 days were completely observed during treatment, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Total Number of Remitters by Week	Up to 12 weeks	A participant was defined as a (hot flush) remitter for a study week if at most one moderate/severe vasomotor symptom per day on average was recorded. A study week was taken into account if at least 4 days were completely observed. The last observation was carried forward if there were less than 4 complete days observed. In cases where Week 1 did not have 4 days that were completely observed, the participant was considered a non-remitter.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Moderate/Severe Composite Score (Composite Score A) by Week	Baseline and up to Week 12	Composite Score A was calculated as Severity Score A x Frequency Score A.
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Frequency of Mild to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms (Frequency Score B) by Week	Baseline and up to Week 12	Participants recorded the frequency (number) of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) on a LogPad on a daily basis during screening and treatment. Frequency Score B was based on the number of mild hot flushes + the number of moderate hot flushes + the number of severe hot flushes in one day. Baseline average was derived from, at most, 7 completely observed pre-treatment days. Weekly averages during treatment were calculated if at least 4 days with non-missing data were completely observed; if less than 4 days were completely observed, the averages of the previous week were carried forward (LOCF). If the number of days observed in Week 1 were not sufficient, baseline values were carried forward.
Change From Baseline in Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ) Sleep Problems Symptoms Domain Score at Week 12	Baseline and Week 12	The WHQ is a 36-item, user-friendly, and rapid way of assessing nine domains of physical and emotional health for mid-aged women. Participants self-administered the WHQ questionnaire; scoring is based on a 4-point scale as follows: 'Yes definitely=1', 'Yes sometimes=2', 'No not much=3' and 'No not at all=4'. Each score is transformed to a value '1' for scores '1' and '2' and to a value '0' for scores '3' and '4'. Sleep problems encompass Items 1, 11, and 29 of the 36 total items. The transformed sums of items 1, 11, and 29 were divided by 3 to get the score; therefore, the domain ranges from 0 to 1, where lower values are better.
Change From Baseline in WHQ Vasomotor Symptoms Domain Score at Week 12	Baseline and Week 12	The WHQ is a 36-item, user-friendly, and rapid way of assessing nine domains of physical and emotional health for mid-aged women. Participants self-administered the WHQ questionnaire; scoring is based on a 4-point scale as follows: 'Yes definitely=1', 'Yes sometimes=2', 'No not much=3' and 'No not at all=4'. Each score is transformed to a value '1' for scores '1' and '2' and to a value '0' for scores '3' and '4'. Vasomotor symptoms encompass Items 19 and 27 of the 36 total items. The transformed sums of items 19+27 are divided by 2 to get the score; therefore, the domain ranges from 0 to 1, where lower values are better.