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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02918318

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Fixed Doses of Intranasal Esketamine in Japanese Participants With Treatment Resistant Depression

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of fixed dosed intranasal esketamine compared to intranasal placebo, as an add-on to an oral antidepressant in Japanese participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), in improving depressive symptoms.

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Key information

Age range

20 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Akita, Japan

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • At the start of the screening phase, participant must meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for single-episode major depressive disorder (MDD) or recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features, based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). In the case of single-episode MDD, the participant must be diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder, which meets criteria of major depressive episode for a continuous duration of greater than or equal to (>=)2 years, and the same physician from the site must be examining the participant for >=2 years continuously as a primary care physician of the participant
  • The participant's current major depressive episode, depression symptom severity (MADRS total score greater than or equal to [>=] 28 required), and antidepressant treatment response in the current depressive episode, must be confirmed using the SAFER interview
  • Participant must be medically stable on the basis of clinical laboratory tests, physical examination, medical history, vital signs (including blood pressure), pulse oximetry, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) performed in the screening phase
  • A woman of childbearing potential must have a negative highly sensitive serum Beta (β) human chorionic gonadotropin [β-hCG] test at the start of the screening phase and a negative urine pregnancy test must be obtained before the first dose of study drug on Day 1 of the double-blind induction phase prior to randomization
  • Contraceptive use by men or women should be consistent with local regulations regarding the use of contraceptive methods for participant participating in clinical studies

Exclusion criteria

  • Participant has received vagal nerve stimulation or has received deep brain stimulation in the current episode of depression
  • Participant previously received esketamine or ketamine as treatment for their MDD
  • Participant has homicidal ideation/intent, per the investigator's clinical judgment, or has suicidal ideation with some intent to act within 6 months prior to the start of the screening phase
  • Participant has a history of moderate or severe substance or alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, except nicotine or caffeine, within 6 months before the start of the screening phase
  • Participant has a current or past history of seizure disorder (uncomplicated childhood febrile seizures with no sequelae are not exclusionary)

Treatment and study plan

Placebo

Drug

Participant will receive 1 spray of placebo to each nostril at 0 minute, 5 minutes and 10 minutes.

Intranasal esketamine (28 mg)

Drug

Participant will receive 1 spray of Esketamine to each nostril at 0 minute and placebo at 5 minutes and 10 minutes.

Intranasal esketamine (56 mg)

Drug

Participant will receive 1 spray of Esketamine to each nostril at 0 minute, 5 minutes and placebo at 10 minutes.

Intranasal esketamine (84 mg)

Drug

Participant will receive 1 spray of Esketamine to each nostril at 0 minute, 5 minutes and 10 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Double-Blind (DB) Induction Phase: Change From Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score up to Day 28

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) up to Day 28 (DB phase) induction

    MADRS is clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity, and to detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. Scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, concentration, lassitude, interest level, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item is not present or is normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms), summed for a total possible score of 0 to 60. Higher scores represent more severe condition. Negative change in score indicates improvement.

Secondary outcomes

  1. DB Induction Phase: Percentage of Participants With Response Based on MADRS Total Score

    Time frame: Days 2, 8, 15, 22 and 28 (DB induction phase)

    A participant is defined as responder (yes=1 and no=0) at a given time point if the percent improvement from baseline in MADRS is greater than or equal to (>=) 50 percent (%). MADRS is clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity, and to detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. Scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, concentration, lassitude, interest level, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item is not present or is normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms), summed for a total possible score of 0 to 60. Higher scores represent more severe condition.

  2. DB Induction Phase: Percentage of Participants With Remission Based on MADRS Total Score

    Time frame: Days 2, 8, 15, 22 and 28 (DB induction phase)

    A participant was considered in remission at a given time point if the MADRS total score <=12. MADRS is clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity, and to detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. Scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, concentration, lassitude, interest level, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item is not present or is normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms), summed for a total possible score of 0 to 60. Higher scores represent more severe condition.

  3. DB Induction Phase: Percentage of Participants Showing Onset of Clinical Response

    Time frame: Day 2 up to Day 28 (DB induction phase)

    A participant was defined as having a clinical response if there was at least 50% improvement from baseline in the MADRS total score with onset by Day 2 that was maintained to Day 28 in DB induction phase. Participants were allowed one excursion (non-response) on Days 8, 15 or 22, provided the score is at least 25% improvement. MADRS is clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity, and to detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. Scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, concentration, lassitude, interest level, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item is not present or is normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms), summed for a total possible score of 0 to 60. Higher scores represent more severe condition.

  4. DB Induction Phase: Change From Baseline in Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S) Total Score up to Day 28

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) up to Day 28 (DB induction pahse)

    CGI-S provides measure of severity of participant's illness including participant's history, psychosocial circumstances, symptoms, behavior and impact of symptoms on ability to function. CGI-S evaluates severity of psychopathology on scale of 0 to 7. Considering total clinical experience, participant is assessed on severity of mental illness according to: 0=not assessed; 1=normal (not at all ill); 2=borderline mentally ill; 3=mildly ill; 4=moderately ill; 5=markedly ill; 6=severely ill; 7=among most extremely ill patients. Values of 0 (not assessed) were excluded from analysis. CGI-S permits global evaluation of participant's condition at given time.

  5. DB Induction Phase: Change From Baseline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7) up to Day 28

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) up to Day 28 (DB induction phase)

    GAD-7 was a brief and validated 7-item self-report assessment of overall anxiety. Participants respond to each item using a 4-point scale with response categories of 0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day. Item responses are summed to yield a total score with a range of 0 to 21, where higher scores indicate more anxiety. The recall period is 2 weeks. The severity of the GAD-7 is categorized as follows: None (0-4), Mild (5-9), Moderate (10-14) and Severe (15 -21).

  6. DB Induction Phase: Change From Baseline in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) Total Score up to Day 28

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 28 (DB induction phase)

    SDS is a participant-reported outcome measure and 5 item questionnaire used for assessment of functional impairment and associated disability. First three items assess disruption of 1 work/school, 2 social life, 3 family life/home responsibilities using a 0(no impairment)-10 (most severe impairment). Score for first 3 items are summed to create total score of 0-30 where higher score indicates greater impairment and a negative change in score indicates improvement. It also has one item on days lost from school or work and one item on days when under productive.

  7. Posttreatment Phase: Time to Relapse in Participants With Remission (MADRS Total Score <=12)

    Time frame: From EndPoint (last post baseline assessment value during the DB induction phase [up to Day 28]) up to 24 weeks (posttreatment phase)

    Time to relapse in participants with remission at the end of the double-blind phase was defined as the time between induction phase and the first documentation of a relapse event during the posttreatment phase. Relapse was defined as any of the following: 1) MADRS total score >= 22 for 2 consecutive assessments. The date of the second MADRS assessment was used for the date of relapse; 2) Hospitalization for worsening depression or any other clinically relevant event determined per clinical judgment to be suggestive of relapse of depressive illness like suicide attempt, completed suicide, or hospitalization for suicide prevention. If hospitalized for any of these events, start date of hospitalization was used as relapse date. If participant was not hospitalized, event date was used. 3) If both relapse criteria were met, earlier date was defined as date of relapse. Remission was defined as MADRS total score <=12.

  8. Posttreatment Phase: Time to Relapse in Participants With Response (>=50% Reduction From Baseline in MADRS Total Score) But Who Are Not in Remission

    Time frame: From EndPoint (last post baseline assessment value during the DB induction phase [up to Day 28]) up to 24 weeks (posttreatment phase)

    Time to relapse in participants with response (>=50% reduction from baseline in MADRS total score) but who are not in remission was reported. Relapse is defined as any of the following: 1) MADRS total score >= 22 for 2 consecutive assessments. The date of the second MADRS assessment was used for the date of relapse. 2)Hospitalization for worsening depression or any other clinically relevant event determined per clinical judgment to be suggestive of relapse of depressive illness like suicide attempt, completed suicide, or hospitalization for suicide prevention. If hospitalized for any of these events, start date of hospitalization was used as relapse date. If participant was not hospitalized, event date was used. 3) If both relapse criteria were met, earlier date was defined as date of relapse. Remission was defined as MADRS total score <=12.

  9. Posttreatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) Total Score at Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24

    Time frame: Baseline (DB induction phase), Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 (posttreatment phase)

    SDS is a participant-reported outcome measure and is a 5-item questionnaire which has been widely used and accepted for assessment of functional impairment and associated disability. The first three items assess disruption of (1) work/school, (2) social life, and (3) family life/home responsibilities using a 0-10 rating scale. The score for the first three items are summed to create a total score of 0-30, where a higher score indicates greater impairment. It also has one item on days lost from school or work and one item on days when under productive. FAS (responders): All randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of intranasal study medication during DB induction phase and who were responders at the end of DB induction phase and entered posttreatment phase

  10. OL Induction Phase: Percentage of Participants With Remission Based on MADRS Total Score

    Time frame: Days 8, 15, 22 and 28 (OL induction phase)

    A participant was considered in remission at a given time point if the MADRS total score <=12. MADRS is clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity, and to detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. Scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, concentration, lassitude, interest level, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item is not present or is normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms), summed for a total possible score of 0 to 60. Higher scores represent more severe condition.

  11. OL Induction Phase: Change From Baseline (Prior to the First Dose of OL Induction Phase) in MADRS Total Score up to Endpoint OL Induction Phase (Last Post Baseline Assessment Value During the OL Induction Phase [OL: up to Day 28])

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to first Dose of OL induction phase on Day 1) up to endpoint of OL induction phase (last post baseline assessment value during OL induction phase [OL: up to Day 28])

    MADRS is clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity, and to detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. Scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, concentration, lassitude, interest level, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item is not present or is normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms), summed for a total possible score of 0 to 60. Higher scores represent more severe condition.

  12. OL Induction Phase: Percentage of Participants With Severity of Psychopathology on the CGI-S Scale

    Time frame: Baseline (Prior to first dose of OL induction phase on Day 1), endpoint of OL induction phase (last post baseline assessment value during the OL induction phase [OL: up to Day 28])

    CGI-S provides measure of severity of participant's illness including participant's history, psychosocial circumstances, symptoms, behavior and impact of symptoms on ability to function. CGI-S evaluates severity of psychopathology on scale of 0 to 7. Considering total clinical experience, participant is assessed on severity of mental illness according to: 0=not assessed; 1=normal (not at all ill); 2=borderline mentally ill; 3=mildly ill; 4=moderately ill; 5=markedly ill; 6=severely ill; 7=among most extremely ill patients. CGI-S permits global evaluation of participant's condition at given time.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Fixed Doses of Intranasal Esketamine in Japanese Subjects With Treatment Resistant Depression

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Sep 28, 2016
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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