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NCT Number: NCT03345342

A Study of Paliperidone Palmitate 6-Month Formulation

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that injection cycles consisting of a single administration of paliperidone palmitate 6-month (PP6M) are not less effective than 2 sequentially administered injections of paliperidone palmitate 3-month PP3M) (350 or 525 mg eq.) for the prevention of relapse in participants with schizophrenia previously stabilized on corresponding doses of paliperidone palmitate 1-month (PP1M) (100 or 150 mg eq.) or PP3M (350 or 525 mg eq.).

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Key information

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Fundacion para el Estudio y Tratamiento de las Enfermedades Mentales, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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About this study

The primary hypothesis of this study is that the efficacy of PP6M is non-inferior to PP3M for preventing relapse in participants with schizophrenia who were previously stabilized on corresponding doses of PP1M or PP3M. The study consists of mainly 3 phases: a screening phase (up to 28 days), a maintenance phase (of 1 or 3 months), and a double-blind phase (of 12 months [neither the researchers nor the participants know what treatment the participant is receiving]). Additional/conditional phases include a transition phase (before maintenance phase). Study evaluations include efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety. The study duration will vary from approximately 13 months to 19 months.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Must meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM 5) for at least 6 months before screening
  • Must be receiving treatment with paliperidone palmitate (as either the paliperidone palmitate 1-month (PP1M) or paliperidone palmitate 3-month (PP3M) formulation), or injectable risperidone, or any oral antipsychotic
  • Must be able, in the opinion of the investigator, to discontinue any antipsychotic medication other than PP1M) or PP3M during the Screening Phase
  • Must have a full Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score of less than (<) 70 points at screening
  • Must have a body mass index (BMI) between 17 and 40 kilogram (kg)/meter (m)^2 (inclusive) and must have a body weight of at least 47 kg at screening
  • Must be willing to receive gluteal injections of medication during the Double-blind Phase

Exclusion criteria

  • Must not be receiving any form of involuntary treatment, such as involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, parole-mandated treatment, or court-mandated treatment
  • Must not have attempted suicide within 12 months before screening and must not be at imminent risk of suicide or violent behavior, as clinically assessed by the investigator at the time of screening
  • Must not have a DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder (except for nicotine and caffeine) within 6 months of screening; however, acute or intermittent substance use prior to screening is not exclusionary, depending upon the clinical judgment of the investigator
  • Must not have a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome or tardive dyskinesia
  • Must not have a history of intolerability or severe reactions to moderate or higher doses of antipsychotic medications and must not have any other factors that would, in the judgment of the investigator, indicate that treatment with moderate or higher doses of paliperidone palmitate would be intolerable or unsafe

Treatment and study plan

PP6M

Drug

Participants will receive intramuscular injection of PP6M.

Other names: R092670

PP3M 350 mg eq.

Drug

Participants will receive intramuscular injection of PP3M 350 mg eq.

Other names: R092670

PP3M 525 mg eq.

Drug

Participants will receive intramuscular injection of PP3M 525 mg eq.

Other names: R092670

PP1M

Drug

Participants will receive intramuscular injection of PP1M 50 to 150 mg eq.

Other names: R092670

Placebo

Other

Participants will receive matching placebo.

Primary outcomes

  1. Time to Relapse During the Double-Blind (DB) Phase

    Time frame: Up to 12 months of DB Phase

    Time to relapse is time between participant randomization in DB Phase and first documentation of relapse event by end of Month 12 of DB phase. Relapse is defined as: a) Psychiatric hospitalization; b) Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score: Increase of 25 percentage (%), 10 point increase in PANSS for 2 analysis separated by 3-7 days if score was greater than (>) 40, less than or equal to (<=)40; c) Participants inflicted knowing self-injury/shown violent behavior leading to suicide, clinically significant injury to him/herself or other person/property; d) Participants had suicidal/homicidal ideation/violent behavior that was clinically significant as per investigator; e) PANSS items P1- delusions, P2- conceptual disorganization, P3-hallucinatory behavior, P6- suspiciousness/ persecution, P7-hostility, G8-uncooperativeness: score: greater than or equal to (>=)5, >=6 for 2 analysis separated by 3-7 days on any items if maximum score for PANSS: <=3 or 4, respectively.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    The neuropsychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed using the 30-item PANSS scale, which provides a total score (sum of the scores for all 30 items) and scores for 3 subscales: the 7-item positive-symptom (P) subscale, the 7-item negative-symptom (N) subscale, and the 16-item general-psychopathology symptom (G) subscale. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme). The PANSS total score ranges from 30 (absent disease)-210 (more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia).

  2. Change From Baseline in the Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S) Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    CGI-S is defined as clinician-rated scale that assesses the severity of mental illness on a scale of 0 to 7. Considering total clinical experience, a participant was assessed on severity of mental illness at the time of rating according to:1: normal, not at all ill; 2: borderline mentally ill; 3: mildly ill; 4: moderately ill; 5: markedly ill; 6: severely ill; 7: among the most extremely ill patients. A higher score implies a more severe condition.

  3. Change From Baseline in the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) Scale Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    The Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale assesses degree of a participant's dysfunction within 4 domains of behavior: 1) socially useful activities, 2) personal and social relationships, 3) self-care, and 4) disturbing and aggressive behavior. Each domain was assessed on a 6-point scale, from 1 (absent) to 6 (very severe) (1 = absent, 2 = mild, 3 = manifest, 4 = marked, 5 = severe, and 6 = very severe). PSP total score was calculated as sum of all the domain scores and ranges from 1 to 100. Participants with score of 71 to 100 have mild degree of difficulty; from 31 to 70, varying degrees of disability; less than or equal to 30, functioning so poorly as to require intensive supervision. Higher score indicates better performance.

  4. Percentage of Participants With Symptomatic Remission Based on PANSS Score During DB Phase

    Time frame: Up to 12 months of DB Phase

    Symptomatic remission was defined as achieving intensity level of mild or moderate on PANSS scale by all 8 items as the determinants for symptomatic remission: delusions, unusual thought content, hallucinatory behavior, conceptual disorganization, mannerisms/posturing, blunted affect, social withdrawal, lack of spontaneity. The PANSS is a 30-item scale to assess the neuropsychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia (psychiatric disorder with symptoms of emotional instability, detachment from reality, often with delusions and hallucinations, and withdrawal into the self). The PANSS provides a total score and scores for 3 subscales, the positive subscale (7 items), the negative subscale (7 items), and the general psychopathology subscale (16 items), each item scored on a scale of 1 (absent), 2 (minimal), 3 (mild), 4 (moderate), 5 (moderately severe), 6 (severe) and 7 (extreme). The total score ranges from 30 to 210 and higher score indicates greater severity.

  5. Change From Baseline in the Satisfaction With Participants in Social Roles (SPSR) Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    The SPSR Short Form 8a is a participant-reported outcome used to assess the satisfaction with participation in social roles. The participants were asked to rate 8 items on 5-point Likert scale, with scores ranging from 8 to 40, where higher scores represents higher satisfaction.

  6. Change From Baseline in the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM-9) Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    TSQM-9 consists of 9 questions to assess patients' satisfaction with medication using a range of responses from 1 (extremely dissatisfied) to (7 extremely satisfied). This patient reported outcome provides scores on three parts: effectiveness, convenience, and global satisfaction. The sum of the 9-questions were calculated and used for analysis. The total score ranges from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating better treatment satisfaction.

  7. Change From Baseline in the Simpson-Angus Rating Scale (SAS) Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    The SAS rates 10 items for general extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) on a 5-point scale from 0 (normal) to 4 (extreme), including gait, arm dropping, shoulder shaking, elbow rigidity, wrist rigidity, leg pendulousness, head rotation, Glabellar tap, tremor, and salivation. The SAS total score is the average score (total sum of item scores divided by the number of items) and ranges between 0 and 4. Negative change in score indicates improvement. Higher scores denote more severe condition of EPS.

  8. Number of Participants With Symptoms of Akathisia Assessed Using Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS) Score

    Time frame: Up to 12 Months of DB Phase

    BARS is used to rate observable, restless movements of drug induced akathisia and subjective awareness of restlessness and any distress associated with the akathisia. BARS consists of the following 4 items: objective assessment of akathisia symptoms, subjective assessment of the participants's awareness of inner restlessness, distress restlessness, and global clinical assessment of akathisia. First three items are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (no abnormal movements or absence of inner restlessness or no distress) to 3 (severe akathisia or awareness of intense compulsion to move most of the time or severe distress). The last item, the global clinical assessment of akathisia, is rated on a 6-point scale, ranging from 0 (no evidence of akathisia) to 5 (severe akathisia).

  9. Change From Baseline in the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    AIMS is a 14-item scale. Items 1 to 8 are rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (no dyskinetic movements) to 4 (severe dyskinetic movements). Item 9 assesses the participant's incapacitation due to abnormal movements, and item 10 assesses the participant's awareness of the abnormal movements and associated distress. Items 9 and 10 are rated on 5-point scales ranging from 0 (none or no awareness) to 4 (severe or aware, severe distress). Items 11 to 14 are yes/no questions regarding the global judgement and dental status of the participant. The total score is the sum of the scores for the 14 items and the possible total score ranges from 0 to 44. A higher total score is indicative of more severe dyskinetic movements.

  10. Number of Participants Based on Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline and endpoint (12 Months of DB Phase)

    The C-SSRS is a questionnaire used for suicide risk assessment. Affirmative or negative responses are provided to items 1 to 5 for suicidal ideation (1. Wish to be dead, 2. Non-specific active suicidal thoughts, 3. Active suicidal ideation with any methods [not plan] without intent to act, 4. Active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan, 5. Active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent) and items 6 to 10 for suicide behavior (6. Preparatory acts or behavior, 7. Aborted attempt, 8. Interrupted attempt, 9. Actual attempt, 10. Completed suicide). Total score ranges from 1 to 10. Higher scores indicate more severe suicidal ideation.

  11. Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Abnormal Electrocardiogram (ECG) Values During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Number of participants with treatment-emergent abnormal ECG values were reported. It includes heart rate (abnormally low refers to less than or equal to [<=] 50 beats per minute (bpm) , abnormally high refers greater than or equal to [>=] 100 bpm), pulse rate (PR) interval (abnormally high refers to >= 210 milliseconds [msec]), QRS interval (abnormally Low refers to <= 50, abnormally high refers to >= 120 msec) and QT interval (abnormally low refers to <= 200, abnormally high >= 500 msec).

  12. Change From Baseline in the Body Mass Index (BMI) During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Change from baseline in BMI was reported.

  13. Change From Baseline in the Waist Circumference During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Change from baseline in waist circumference was reported.

  14. Change From Baseline in the Body Weight During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Change from baseline in body weight was reported.

  15. Change From Baseline in the Vital Signs (Pulse Rate) During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Change from baseline vital signs (pulse rate) were reported. This included supine pulse rate, standing pulse rate and supine-standing pulse rate.

  16. Change From Baseline in the Vital Signs (Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP] and Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP]) During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Change from baseline in vital signs including SBP and DBP (supine/standing) were reported.

  17. Change From Baseline in Positive and Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Subscales Score During DB Phase

    Time frame: Baseline (DB) to 12 Months of DB Phase

    The neuropsychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed using the 30-item PANSS scale, which provides a total score (sum of the scores for all 30 items) and Scores for 3 subscales, that is, for positive subscale (sum of the scores of all 7 items) and negative subscale (sum of the scores of all 7 items) ranges from 7 (absent) to 49 (extreme psychopathology), and for the general psychopathology subscale (sum of the scores of all 16 items) score ranges from 16 (absent) to 112 (extreme psychopathology).

  18. Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Clinically Significant Abnormal Laboratory Values in Chemistry During DB Phase

    Time frame: Up to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Number of participants with clinically significant abnormal laboratory values in chemistry included alanine aminotransferase (Unit per Litre [U/L]), albumin (Gram per Litre [g/L]), alkaline phosphatase (U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (U/L), bicarbonate (millimoles per litre [mmol/L]), bilirubin (micromoles per litre [umol/L]), calcium (mmol/L), chloride (mmol/L), cholesterol (mmol/L), creatinine (umol/L), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (U/L), glucose (mmol/L), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol (mmol/L), low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol (mmol/L), lactate dehydrogenase (U/L), phosphate (mmol/L), potassium (mmol/L), protein (mmol/L), sodium (mmol/L), triglycerides (mmol/L), urate (umol/L), urea nitrogen (mmol/L) were reported. Here, ABL signifies abnormally low and ABH signifies abnormally high levels.

  19. Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Clinically Significant Abnormal Laboratory Values in Hematology During DB Phase

    Time frame: Up to 12 Months of DB Phase

    Number of participants with clinically significant abnormal laboratory values in hematology included hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count with differential, platelets, hemoglobin A1c. Here, ABL signifies abnormally low and ABH signifies abnormally high levels.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Janssen Research & Development, LLC

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Double-blind, Randomized, Active-controlled, Parallel-group Study of Paliperidone Palmitate 6-Month Formulation

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Nov 17, 2017
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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