Celecoxib Versus Placebo as an Adjunct to Treatment-as-usual in Children and Youth With Obsessive-compulsive Disorder: A Single-site Randomized Quadruple-blind Phase II Study
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Intervention
- Celecoxib
- Conditions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Sponsor
- University of British Columbia
- Enrollment
- 80
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, 1st Edition (CY-BOCS-I)
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- 3 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This is a randomized, controlled, single-centre phase II superiority trial to determine the efficacy of 12 weeks of celecoxib (50 mg or 100 mg orally twice daily, dosed based on weight) compared to placebo as an adjunct to treatment-as-usual in children and youth with moderate-to-severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Detailed Description
Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes oxidize arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which modulate normal neuronal function and inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. COX-2, which is constitutively expressed by glutamatergic neurons in the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, plays an important physiological role in synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation. Pre-clinical studies point to a potential role for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which inhibit COX enzymes, in modulation of mood and anxiety symptoms. Recent meta-analyses also suggest a role for adjunctive COX inhibitors in the treatment of depression and first-episode schizophrenia. While consensus guidelines on the use of anti-inflammatory therapy in children with acute-onset subtypes of childhood-onset obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) suggest NSAIDs as a first-line option for patients with mild impairment, there is limited empirical evidence to support their use in this population. Two small randomized-controlled trials in adults with OCD demonstrated improved symptom severity with celecoxib - a selective COX-2 inhibitor - raising the possibility that COX inhibition may be effective in a general OCD population. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of celecoxib and placebo as adjuncts to treatment-as-usual on reduction in symptom severity, as determined by Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) after 12 weeks in children and youth with moderate-to-severe OCD. This is a randomized, controlled, single-centre superiority trial with two parallel groups (celecoxib 50 mg \[≤25 kg\] or 100 mg \[\>25 kg\] twice daily and placebo). Participants will be recruited from the BC Children's Hospital (BCCH) Provincial OCD Program and based on self-referral from community practices. Randomization will be performed as block randomization with a 1:1 allocation and stratified based on pre-treatment symptom severity. The investigator, outcomes assessor, clinician, and patient will be blinded to the intervention groups. Labs at baseline and 12 weeks will include complete blood count (CBC) with differential, creatinine, electrolytes, liver enzymes, and CRP. Participants will be assessed for OCD severity and adverse events at weeks 6 and 12. Analysis will be carried out according to intention-to-treat principles. Power calculations using estimates based on previous studies suggest a target recruitment of 80 participants. Participants will be offered a 12-week open-label celecoxib extension following the blinded phase for further assessment of tolerability. The primary outcome is OCD severity (as measured by total CY-BOCS score) after 12 weeks in the celecoxib compared to placebo arm, adjusted for baseline. Secondary outcomes include CY-BOCS score after 6 weeks adjusted for baseline OCD severity, difference in the proportion of participants achieving a clinically meaningful response or remission; mean clinical global impression of severity and improvement after 6 and 12 weeks; and difference between celecoxib and placebo arms in the proportion of participants reporting adverse events that are possibly, probably, or definitely related to the study intervention. NSAIDs are common in clinical practice and referenced in both adult and pediatric treatment guidelines for OCD, but no controlled studies have evaluated the effects of COX inhibitors in childhood-onset OCD. This study will be the first to assess the efficacy and safety of adjunctive celecoxib in this population and will inform clinical management of children and youth with OCD.
Investigators
Evelyn Stewart, MD
Professor, Division of Clinical & Behavioural Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine; Medical Director, BCCH Provincial OCD Program (POP); Investigator, BC Children's Hospital
University of British Columbia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Age 7-18 years
- •Resident of British Columbia
- •DSM-5 diagnosis of OCD based on (a) history of prior clinician assessment and (b) standardized interview
- •CY-BOCS score ≥16 (moderate to severe)
- •Able to take medication twice daily in capsule form (in whole form or sprinkled contents)
- •Negative pregnancy test (either serum or urine) in participants with child-bearing potential
- •Use of highly effective and/or double barrier contraception, or abstinence, in participants with child-bearing potential
Exclusion Criteria
- •Lifetime diagnosis of renal disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, severe or uncontrolled asthma, bleeding disorders, heart disease, heart failure, or hypertension
- •Current major depressive episode, acute psychosis, active substance use, suicidality, or restriction of fluid intake
- •Pregnant or breastfeeding during the study period
- •Active infection or antibiotic treatment at baseline
- •Allergy to celecoxib, sulfonamide compounds, or NSAIDs, including aspirin
- •Current or previous regular use of immune-modulating therapies for treatment of OCD symptoms, at an effective anti-inflammatory dose (including NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or biologics)
- •Use of NSAIDs at any dose at a frequency ≥ 3 times per week during the 2 months prior to randomization
- •Current use of intravenous or oral corticosteroids
- •Concurrent use of CYP2C9 inhibitors fluconazole, amiodarone, oxandrolone or methotrexate; CYP2C9 inducers including rifampin and phenobarbital; or any other drug that may interact with celecoxib and, in the opinion of Dr. Stewart or another study investigator, represents a potential safety risk
- •Poor CYP2C9 metabolizer (i.e. CYP2C9\*3/\*3 genotype) based on clinical suspicion or previous genotyping.
Arms & Interventions
Celecoxib
Celecoxib 50 mg orally twice daily (if weight 10-25 kg) or 100 mg orally twice daily (if weight \> 25 kg) for 12 weeks. Used as adjunct to treatment-as-usual.
Intervention: Celecoxib
Placebo (microcrystalline cellulose)
Placebo capsules identical to celecoxib. One capsule orally twice daily for 12 weeks. Used as adjunct to treatment-as-usual.
Intervention: Placebo
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, 1st Edition (CY-BOCS-I)
Time Frame: 12 weeks (adjusted for baseline severity)
The CY-BOCS is a well-validated clinician-rated measure to assess obsessive-compulsive symptom severity. This results in two subscale total scores, Obsessions and Compulsions, each ranging from 0-20, with a higher score indicating greater symptom severity. These subscale scores are summed to provide a total score, ranging from 0 to 40, that is used to measure overall OCD symptom severity.
Secondary Outcomes
- Proportion of participants achieving clinical remission.(6 weeks, 12 weeks)
- Mean Clinician Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I)(6 weeks, 12 weeks (adjusted for baseline))
- Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, 1st Edition (CY-BOCS-I)(6 weeks (adjusted for baseline severity))
- Mean Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S)(6 weeks, 12 weeks (adjusted for baseline))
- Proportion of participants achieving a clinically meaningful treatment response.(6 weeks, 12 weeks)
- Proportion of participants reporting adverse events that are possibly, probably, or definitely related to the study intervention.(0-12 weeks)