| Literature DB >> 33207828 |
Michael J Brownstein1, Neal G Simon1,2, Jeffrey D Long3, Jon Yankey3, Hilda T Maibach1, Merit Cudkowicz4, Christopher Coffey3, Robin A Conwit5, Codrin Lungu5, Karen E Anderson6, Steven M Hersch4,7, Dixie J Ecklund3, Eve M Damiano1, Debra E Itzkowitz1, Shifang Lu1,2, Marianne K Chase4, Jeremy M Shefner8,9,10, Andrew McGarry11, Brenda Thornell4, Catherine Gladden4, Michele Costigan3, Padraig O'Suilleabhain12, Frederick J Marshall13, Amy M Chesire13, Paul Deritis13, Jamie L Adams13, Peter Hedera14, Kelly Lowen14, H Diana Rosas4, Amie L Hiller15, Joseph Quinn15, Kellie Keith15, Andrew P Duker16, Christina Gruenwald16, Angela Molloy16, Cara Jacob16, Stewart Factor17, Elaine Sperin17, Danny Bega18, Zsazsa R Brown18, Lauren C Seeberger19, Victor W Sung20, Melanie Benge20, Sandra K Kostyk21, Allison M Daley21, Susan Perlman22, Valerie Suski23, Patricia Conlon23, Matthew J Barrett24, Stephanie Lowenhaupt24, Mark Quigg24, Joel S Perlmutter25, Brenton A Wright26, Elaine Most25, Guy J Schwartz27, Jessica Lamb27, Rosalind S Chuang28, Carlos Singer29, Karen Marder30, Joyce A Moran30, John R Singleton31, Meghan Zorn31, Paola V Wall31, Richard M Dubinsky32, Carolyn Gray32, Carolyn Drazinic33.
Abstract
SRX246 is a vasopressin (AVP) 1a receptor antagonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier. It reduced impulsive aggression, fear, depression and anxiety in animal models, blocked the actions of intranasal AVP on aggression/fear circuits in an experimental medicine fMRI study and demonstrated excellent safety in Phase 1 multiple-ascending dose clinical trials. The present study was a 3-arm, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 12-week, dose escalation study of SRX246 in early symptomatic Huntington's disease (HD) patients with irritability. Our goal was to determine whether SRX246 was safe and well tolerated in these HD patients given its potential use for the treatment of problematic neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants were randomized to receive placebo or to escalate to 120 mg twice daily or 160 mg twice daily doses of SRX246. Assessments included standard safety tests, the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS), and exploratory measures of problem behaviors. The groups had comparable demographics, features of HD and baseline irritability. Eighty-two out of 106 subjects randomized completed the trial on their assigned dose of drug. One-sided exact-method confidence interval tests were used to reject the null hypothesis of inferior tolerability or safety for each dose group vs. placebo. Apathy and suicidality were not affected by SRX246. Most adverse events in the active arms were considered unlikely to be related to SRX246. The compound was safe and well tolerated in HD patients and can be moved forward as a candidate to treat irritability and aggression.Entities:
Keywords: Huntington’s disease; safety; tolerability; vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist
Year: 2020 PMID: 33207828 PMCID: PMC7696926 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113682
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Clin Med ISSN: 2077-0383 Impact factor: 4.241
Baseline clinical characteristics by treatment group.
| Characteristic * | Variable | Placebo ( | 120 mg ( | 160 mg ( | N (% of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Male | 16 (44.44%) | 18 (50.00%) | 17 (50.00%) | 51 (48.11%) |
| Female | 20 (55.56%) | 18 (50.00%) | 17 (50.00%) | 55 (51.89%) | |
| Missing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
| White | 36 (100.0%) | 36 (100.0%) | 33 (97.06%) | 105 (99.06%) |
| Not White | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (2.94%) | 1 (0.94%) | |
| Unknown/Not Reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
| Hispanic/Latino | 0 (0.00%) | 2 (5.56%) | 4 (11.76%) | 6 (5.71%) |
| Not Hispanic/Latino | 35 (100.0%) | 34 (94.44%) | 30 (88.24%) | 99 (94.29%) | |
| Missing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
|
| Mean (SD) | 51.7 (10.4) | 51.1 (13.2) | 48.9 (12.7) | 50.6 (12.1) |
| Min.-Max. | 32 - 72 | 19 - 77 | 27 - 78 | 19 - 78 | |
| Missing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
| 1–11 years | 1 (2.78%) | 2 (5.56%) | 0 (0.00%) | 3 (2.83%) |
| High school/Assoc./Tech. | 18 (50.00%) | 24 (66.67%) | 20 (58.82%) | 62 (58.49%) | |
| Bachelors or Higher | 17 (47.22%) | 10 (27.78%) | 14 (41.18%) | 41 (38.68%) | |
| Unknown/Missing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
| Well Controlled | 1 (3%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | |
| Questionable | 0 (0%) | 1 (3%) | 0 (0%) | ||
|
| 8 (22%) | 9 (25%) | 13 (38%) | ||
| Moderate | 22 (61%) | 23 (64%) | 19 (56%) | ||
| Severe | 5 (14%) | 3 (8%) | 2 (6%) | ||
|
| Well Controlled | 8 (22%) | 6 (16%) | 5 (15%) | |
| Verbal Threats | 9 (25%) | 9 (25%) | 12 (36%) | ||
|
| 8 (22%) | 14 (39%) | 9 (26%) | ||
| Definite Physical | 9 (25%) | 5 (14%) | 7 (21%) | ||
| Severe Physical | 2 (6%) | 2 (6%) | 1 (3%) |
* There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups. ** These responses to the UHDRS questions at baseline were the minimum for inclusion in the study. Bold formatting used for emphasis.
Figure 1The STAIR trial (Safety, Tolerability, and Activity of SRX246 in Irritable Subjects with Huntington’s Disease) graphic illustrates the dosing and dose escalation schedule in the study. The treatment for each subject was assigned by a randomized code. A block randomization scheme was used to ensure approximately even distribution of subjects in treatment groups at each site (1:1:1 allocation). All subjects in the active arms were given 80 mg BID SRX246 for two weeks to provide an initial assessment of safety risks. Active arm subjects all escalated to 120 mg BID at week 2 and at week 6, half were escalated to 160 mg BID. The final sample size (N) randomized to each dose group is shown.
Results for the primary endpoint, tolerability of SRX246, using a test for non-inferiority with a threshold of 0.50. The null hypothesis is that the placebo minus treatment proportion difference is greater than (or equal to) the margin of 0.50 and the alternative hypothesis is that the difference is less than 0.50.
| Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | 120 mg | 160 mg | |
| Sample Size |
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| Number of completers (%) | 30 (83%) | 25 (69%) | 27 (79%) |
| One-Sided 97.5% CI of Proportion Difference | (−1, 0.35) | (−1, 0.27) | |
| Null Hypothesis Decision | Reject | Reject | |
Results for the secondary safety endpoint, adverse events (AEs) in study subjects, using a test for non-inferiority with a threshold of 0.50. The null hypothesis is that the treatment minus placebo proportion difference is greater than (or equal to) the margin of 0.50 and the alternative hypothesis is that the difference is less than 0.50.
| Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | 120 mg | 160 mg | |
| Sample Size | 36 | 36 | 34 |
| Number of subjects with AEs (%) | 26 (72%) | 29 (81%) | 30 (88%) |
| One-Sided 97.5% CI of Proportion Difference | (−1, 0.28) | (−1, 0.36) | |
| Null Hypothesis Decision | Reject | Reject | |
Results for the secondary safety endpoint, serious adverse events (SAEs) in study subjects, using a test for non-inferiority with a threshold of 0.50. The null hypothesis is that the treatment minus placebo proportion difference is greater than (or equal to) the margin of 0.50 and the alternative hypothesis is that the difference is less than 0.50.
| Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | 120 mg | 160 mg | |
| Sample Size | 36 | 36 | 34 |
| Number of subjects with SAEs (%) | 1 (3%) | 6 (17%) | 2 (6%) |
| One-Sided 97.5% CI of Proportion Difference | (−1, 0.03) | (−1, 0.12) | |
| Null Hypothesis Decision | Reject | Reject | |
Problem Behavior Assessment (PBA-s) Apathy Factor by Treatment Group and Study Visit (ITT Population). Apathy behavior is rated for frequency and severity on a scale of 0–4 and the Apathy Factor is calculated as frequency * severity.
| Time Point | Statistic | Placebo | SRX246 120 mg BID | SRX246 160 mg BID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visit 2, Baseline | n | 35 | 36 | 34 |
| Mean (SD) | 3.5 (3.91) | 4.0 (4.37) | 3.4 (5.01) | |
| Median | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | |
| Min, Max | 0, 16 | 0, 12 | 0, 16 | |
| Visit 4, Week 6 | n | 35 | 31 | 33 |
| Mean (SD) | 2.9 (4.38) | 2.9 (3.61) | 3.4 (4.64) | |
| Median | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | |
| Min, Max | 0, 16 | 0, 12 | 0, 16 | |
| Visit 7, End of Treatment | n | 34 | 31 | 33 |
| Mean (SD) | 3.0 (4.17) | 3.4 (4.27) | 3.8 (4.77) | |
| Median | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| Min, Max | 0, 16 | 0, 16 | 0, 16 |
The number and percent of participants in each group that showed suicidal ideation at screening (Visit 1), baseline (visit 2) and end of study (visit 7). Those in the “yes” group had a score other than zero based on the responses to questions 1–5 on the C-SSRS: 1—Wish to be Dead; Category 2—Non-specific Active Suicidal Thoughts; 3—Active Suicidal Ideation with Any Methods 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. There were no differences between SRX120 mg vs. placebo or SRX246 160 mg vs. placebo. There also were no differences between the SRX246 groups and placebo at visits 3–6 (not shown). * The elevated scores at Visit 1 (screening) reflect lifetime suicidal ideation and are thus substantially increased compared to assessments conducted during the course of the study (visits 2–7).
| Placebo | Up to 120 mg | Up to 160 mg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1 * | 10 | 14 | 11 |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 11.1% | 8.3% | 0.0% | |
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 0.0% | 2.8% | 2.9% |
(a)
| Group | ||||||||||||
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| Placebo | 120 mg | 160 mg | ||||||||||
| # (%) of | # of | Rate | # (%) of | # of | Rate | # (%) of | # of | Rate | Placebo vs. 120 mg | Placebo vs 160 mg | 120 mg vs. 160 mg | |
| Subjects | Events | Subjects | Events | Subjects | Events | |||||||
| Blood | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cardiac | 2 (5.6%) | 2 | 0.018 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 1 (2.9%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0.50 (0.05, 5.27) | 1.89 (0.18, 19.89) | 0.94 (0.06, 14.51) |
| Gastrointestinal | 4 (11.1%) | 4 | 0.035 | 7 (19.4%) | 13 | 0.117 | 9 (26.5%) | 14 | 0.122 | 1.75 (0.56, 5.46) | 0.42 (0.14, 1.24) | 0.73 (0.31, 1.75) |
| General | 2 (5.6%) | 2 | 0.018 | 3 (8.3%) | 3 | 0.027 | 5 (14.7%) | 7 | 0.061 | 1.50 (0.27, 8.45) | 0.38 (0.08, 1.82) | 0.57 (0.15, 2.19) |
| Infections | 9 (25.0%) | 11 | 0.097 | 6 (16.7%) | 7 | 0.063 | 4 (11.8%) | 4 | 0.035 | 0.67 (0.26, 1.68) | 2.13 (0.72, 6.26) | 1.42 (0.44, 4.59) |
| Injury, Poisoning and Procedural Comp. | 5 (13.9%) | 5 | 0.044 | 4 (11.1%) | 6 | 0.054 | 4 (11.8%) | 7 | 0.061 | 0.80 (0.23, 2.74) | 1.18 (0.35, 4.03) | 0.94 (0.26, 3.48) |
| Investigations | 6 (16.7%) | 8 | 0.071 | 8 (22.2%) | 8 | 0.072 | 8 (23.5%) | 9 | 0.078 | 1.33 (0.51, 3.46) | 0.71 (0.27, 1.83) | 0.94 (0.40, 2.23) |
| Metabolic | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1.00 (0.07, 15.38) | N/A | N/A |
| Musculoskeletal | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 5 (13.9%) | 5 | 0.045 | 5 (14.7%) | 6 | 0.052 | 5.00 (0.61, 40.70) | 0.19 (0.02, 1.54) | 0.94 (0.30, 2.98) |
| Neoplasms | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 1 (2.9%) | 1 | 0.009 | N/A | N/A | 0.94 (0.06, 14.51) |
| Nervous System | 8 (22.2%) | 9 | 0.080 | 6 (16.7%) | 7 | 0.063 | 4 (11.8%) | 6 | 0.052 | 0.75 (0.29, 1.94) | 1.89 (0.63, 5.70) | 1.42 (0.44, 4.59) |
| Psychiatric | 4 (11.1%) | 6 | 0.053 | 8 (22.2%) | 11 | 0.099 | 8 (23.5%) | 9 | 0.078 | 2.00 (0.66, 6.06) | 0.47 (0.16, 1.43) | 0.94 (0.40, 2.23) |
| Renal | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 2 (5.6%) | 2 | 0.018 | 2 (5.9%) | 2 | 0.017 | 2.00 (0.19, 21.09) | 0.47 (0.04, 4.97) | 0.94 (0.14, 6.33) |
| Reproductive | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Respiratory | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 3 (8.3%) | 5 | 0.045 | 4 (11.8%) | 4 | 0.035 | 3.00 (0.33, 27.50) | 0.24 (0.03, 2.01) | 0.71 (0.17, 2.94) |
| Skin | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 2 (5.6%) | 2 | 0.018 | 1 (2.9%) | 1 | 0.009 | 2.00 (0.19, 21.09) | 0.94 (0.06, 14.51) | 1.89 (0.18, 19.89) |
| Vascular | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 2 (5.9%) | 2 | 0.017 | N/A | N/A | 0.47 (0.04, 4.97) |
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(b)
| Group | ||||||||||||
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| Placebo | 120 mg | 160 mg | ||||||||||
| # (%) of | # of | Rate | # (%) of | # of | Rate | # (%) of | # of | Rate | Placebo vs. 120 mg | Placebo vs. 160 mg | 120 mg vs. 160 mg | |
| Subjects | Events | Subjects | Events | Subjects | Events | |||||||
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| Angina pectoris | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| Staphylococcal skin infection | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| Ankle fracture | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| Muscular weakness | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| Renal neoplasm | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| Aggression | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.9%) | 1 | 0.009 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Irritability | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Psychotic disorder | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.8%) | 1 | 0.009 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Suicide attempt | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 0.000 | 1 (2.9%) | 1 | 0.009 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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Column Definitions: 1: System Organ Class of AE; 2,5,8: Number and percentage of subjects who have ever had AE; 3,6,9: Total number of AEs; includes multiple AEs of same type per subject 4,7,10: Number of AEs per 30 days; 11: Relative Risk (120 mg relative to Placebo) and 95% confidence interval; 12: Relative Risk (Placebo relative to 160 mg) and 95% confidence interval; 13: Relative Risk (120 mg relative to 160 mg) and 95% confidence interval.