Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of 3 Fixed Doses of Intranasal Esketamine in Addition to Comprehensive Standard of Care for the Rapid Reduction of the Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, Including Suicidal Ideation, in Pediatric Participants Assessed to be at Imminent Risk for Suicide

Janssen (J&J Innovative Medicine)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Depressive Disorder, Major

Treatments: Drug: Intranasal Placebo; Drug: Midazolam; Drug: Midazolam Placebo Solution; Drug: Esketamine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Industry

Identifiers

NCT03185819

2016-004422-42 (EudraCT Number)

CR108323

ESKETINSUI2002 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a single (first) dose of 3 fixed doses of intranasal esketamine {28 milligram (mg), 56 mg, and 84 mg} compared with psychoactive placebo (oral midazolam) in rapidly reducing the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) including suicidal ideation in participants 12 to less than 18 years of age who are assessed to be at imminent risk for suicide.

Full description

This study will enroll participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) presenting with suicidal ideation who are assessed to be at imminent risk for suicide. The study will be conducted in 4 phases: a screening evaluation performed within 48 hours prior to Day 1 intranasal dose; a 25-day double-blind treatment phase (Days 1-25); an 8-week initial post-treatment phase (Days 25-81); and a subsequent phase to complete a full 6-month post-treatment follow-up (Days 81-200). Efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetic, biomarker, and pharmacogenomic evaluations will be performed in the study at defined schedule. The duration of the participant's participation will be approximately 29 weeks. If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, please seek immediate medical help. Go to the emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Enrollment: 147 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 9 to 17 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Participants must meet diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition) {DSM-5} diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features, based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the mini international neuropsychiatric interview for children and adolescents (MINI KID)
• Participant must have a children's depression rating scale-revised (CDRS-R) total score of equal or more than (>=) 58 predose on Day 1
• As part of standard of care treatment, participant must agree to be hospitalized voluntarily for a recommended period of 5 days after randomization (may be shorter or longer if clinically warranted in the investigator's opinion)
• As part of the newly initiated or optimized standard of care treatment, participant must agree to take one of the prescribed non-investigational antidepressant medications (fluoxetine, escitalopram, sertraline; and 9-11 years old participants at US-sites only: fluoxetin [preferred], sertraline) at least during the double-blind treatment phase (Day 25)
• As part of standard of care treatment, participant must agree to participate in a specific psychological intervention (individual cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], interpersonal therapy, family therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy) at least through the initial 8-week post-treatment follow-up period (Day 81)

Exclusion criteria

• Participants has a current DSM-5 diagnosis of bipolar (or related disorders), intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, anorexia nervosa, oppositional defiant disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder
• Participants currently meets DSM-5 criteria for borderline personality disorder. Participants not meeting full DSM-5 criteria for borderline personality disorder but exhibiting recurrent suicidal gestures, threats, or self-mutilating behaviors should also be excluded
• Participant has a current or prior DSM-5 diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or MDD with psychosis
• Participant meets the DSM-5 severity criteria for moderate or severe substance or alcohol use disorder (except for nicotine or caffeine) within the 6 months before screening. A history (lifetime) of ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) hallucinogen-related use disorder is exclusionary
• Participant has a history of seizure disorder

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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147 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

Oral Midazolam + Intranasal Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive midazolam solution 0.125 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) orally 2 times per week for 4 weeks and 3 intranasal doses of matched placebo to esketamine.

Treatment:

Drug: Midazolam

Drug: Intranasal Placebo

Oral Placebo + Esketamine 84 mg

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive intranasal esketamine 84 mg as 3 intranasal doses of esketamine in each nostril (each dose contains 14 mg of esketamine) along with oral placebo 2 times per week for 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Midazolam Placebo Solution

Oral Placebo + Esketamine 56 mg

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive intranasal esketamine 56 mg as 2 intranasal doses of esketamine in each nostril (each dose contains 14 mg of esketamine) along with oral placebo 2 times per week for 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Midazolam Placebo Solution

Oral Placebo + Esketamine 28 mg

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive intranasal esketamine 28 mg as 1 intranasal doses of esketamine in each nostril (each dose contains 14 mg of esketamine) along with oral placebo 2 times per week for 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Esketamine

Drug: Midazolam Placebo Solution