A graphical approach to sequentially rejective multiple test procedures

Latest Developments in "Adaptive Enrichment" Clinical Trial Designs in Oncology

As cancer has become better understood on the molecular level with the evolution of gene sequencing techniques, considerations for individualized therapy using predictive biomarkers (those associated with a treatment's effect) have shifted to a new level. In the last decade or so, randomized "adaptive enrichment" clinical trials have become increasingly utilized to strike a balance between enrolling all patients with a given tumor type, versus enrolling only a subpopulation whose tumors are defined by a potential predictive biomarker related to the mechanism of action of the experimental therapy. In this review article, we review recent innovative design extensions and adaptations to adaptive enrichment designs proposed during the last few years in the clinical trial methodology literature, both from Bayesian and frequentist perspectives.

Alternative Complement Pathway Inhibition with Iptacopan in IgA Nephropathy

BACKGROUND

The alternative complement pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. Iptacopan specifically binds to factor B and inhibits the alternative pathway.

METHODS

In this phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled adults with biopsy-confirmed IgA nephropathy and proteinuria (defined as a 24-hour urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of ≥1 [with protein and creatinine both measured in grams]) despite optimized supportive therapy. Patients were randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive oral iptacopan (200 mg) or placebo twice daily for 24 months while continuing to receive supportive therapy. The primary objective of this prespecified interim analysis was to assess the efficacy of iptacopan as compared with that of placebo in reducing proteinuria at month 9; the primary end point was the change from baseline in the 24-hour urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio at month 9. The proportion of patients who had a 24-hour urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of less than 1 at month 9 without receiving rescue or alternative medication or undergoing kidney-replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation) was a secondary end point. Safety was also assessed. The effect of iptacopan on kidney function will be assessed at the end of the 2-year double-blind treatment period.

RESULTS

The main trial population included 222 patients in the iptacopan group and 221 in the placebo group. The interim efficacy analysis included the first 250 patients who underwent randomization in the main trial population (125 patients in each group) and who remained in the trial until month 9 or discontinued the trial by month 9. Safety was assessed in all the patients in the main trial population. At month 9, the adjusted geometric mean 24-hour urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio was 38.3% (95% confidence interval, 26.0 to 48.6; two-sided P<0.001) lower with iptacopan than with placebo. The reduction in proteinuria was supported by consistent results in secondary end point analyses. There were no unexpected safety findings with iptacopan. The incidence of adverse events that occurred during the treatment period was similar in the two groups; most events were mild to moderate in severity and reversible. No increased risk of infection was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with IgA nephropathy, treatment with iptacopan resulted in a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in proteinuria as compared with placebo. (Funded by Novartis; APPLAUSE-IgAN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04578834.).

Efficacy and safety of low-dose digoxin in patients with heart failure. Rationale and design of the DECISION trial

AIMS

Digoxin is the oldest drug in cardiovascular (CV) medicine, and one trial conducted >25 years ago showed a reduction in heart failure (HF) hospitalizations but no effect on mortality. However, later studies suggested that the dose of digoxin used in that trial (and other studies) may have been too high. The DECISION (Digoxin Evaluation in Chronic heart failure: Investigational Study In Outpatients in the Netherlands) trial will examine the efficacy and safety of low-dose digoxin in HF patients with reduced or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with a background of contemporary HF treatment.

METHODS

The DECISION trial is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled event-driven outcome trial which will investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose digoxin in patients with chronic HF and LVEF <50%. Both patients with sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation will be enrolled and will be randomized (1:1) to low-dose digoxin or matching placebo. To maintain a target serum digoxin concentration of 0.5-0.9 ng/ml, dose adjustments are made throughout follow-up based on serum digoxin measurements with dummy values for the placebo group. The primary endpoint is a composite of CV mortality and total HF hospitalizations or total urgent hospital visits for worsening HF, and all endpoints are adjudicated blindly by a Clinical Event Committee. The estimated sample size was 982 patients who will be followed for a median of 3 years, and in December 2023 enrolment was completed after 1002 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The DECISION trial will provide important evidence regarding the effect of (low-dose) digoxin on CV mortality and total HF hospitalizations and urgent hospital visits when added to contemporary HF treatment of patients with reduced or mildly reduced LVEF.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03783429.

Once-weekly insulin efsitora alfa versus once-daily insulin degludec in adults with type 1 diabetes (QWINT-5): a phase 3 randomised non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

Insulin efsitora alfa (efsitora) is a once-weekly basal insulin. This phase 3 study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of efsitora compared with insulin degludec (degludec) in adults with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

This randomised, 52-week, parallel-design, open-label, treat-to-target non-inferiority study conducted at 82 global health-care centres, randomly assigned (1:1) adults (ie, those aged ≥18 years) with type 1 diabetes glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7·0-10·0% (53·0-85·8 mmol/mol) to efsitora (n=343) or, degludec (n=349), both in combination with insulin lispro. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week-26 (non-inferiority margin=0·4%). The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05463744) and is completed.

FINDINGS

Between Aug 12, 2022, and May 7, 2024, of 893 participants enrolled, 692 (77%) participants were randomly assigned to once-weekly efsitora or once-daily degludec, and 623 (90%) participants completed the study. Mean HbA1c decreased from 7·88% (62·66 mmol/mol) at baseline to 7·41% (57·5 mmol/mol) at week 26 with efsitora and from 7·94% (63·3 mmol/mol) at baseline to 7·36% (56·9 mmol/mol) at week 26 with degludec. Mean HbA1c change from baseline to week 26 was -0·51% with efsitora and -0·56% with degludec (estimated treatment difference 0·052%, 95% CI -0·077 to 0·181; p=0·43), confirming a non-inferiority margin of 0·4% for efsitora compared with degludec. Rates of combined level 2 (<54 mg/dL [3·0 mmol/L]) or level 3 severe hypoglycaemia were higher with efsitora compared with degludec (14·03 vs 11·59 events per patient year of exposure; estimated rate ratio 1·21, 95% CI 1·04 to 1·41; p=0·016) during weeks 0-52, with the highest rates during weeks 0-12. Severe hypoglycaemia incidence was higher with efsitora (35 [10%] of 343) versus degludec (11 [3%] of 349) during weeks 0-52. Overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar across treatment groups. One death not related to the study treatment occurred in the degludec group.

INTERPRETATION

In adults with type 1 diabetes, once-weekly efsitora showed non-inferior HbA1c reduction compared with daily insulin degludec. Higher rates of combined level 2 or level 3 hypoglycaemia and greater incidence of severe hypoglycaemia in participants treated with efsitora compared with participants treated with degludec might suggest the need for additional evaluation of efsitora dose initiation and optimisation in people with type 1 diabetes.

FUNDING

Eli Lilly and Company.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Secukinumab for the Treatment of Active Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) secukinumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

INVIGORATE-2 (NCT04209205) was a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Patients with active PsA were randomized 1:1 to receive IV secukinumab (6 mg/kg at baseline followed by 3 mg/kg every four weeks [q4w]) or placebo. At week 16, patients randomized to placebo were switched to IV secukinumab (3 mg/kg q4w), and patients who received IV secukinumab continued treatment through week 52. The primary efficacy endpoint was achievement of 50% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR50) at week 16. Efficacy and safety were evaluated through weeks 52 and 60, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 191 patients randomized to IV secukinumab and 190 to placebo/IV secukinumab, 177 (92.7%) and 170 (89.5%) completed the entire study period, respectively. A significantly higher proportion of patients who received IV secukinumab versus placebo achieved ACR50 at week 16 (31.4% vs 6.3%; adjusted P < 0.0001). All secondary efficacy endpoints were met at week 16 (all adjusted P < 0.05 using the predefined hypothesis-testing hierarchy). Patients who switched from placebo to secukinumab at week 16 showed rapid improvements in ACR50 rates; by week 52, both treatment arms experienced similar improvements in efficacy outcomes. No new or unexpected safety signals were observed with receiving IV secukinumab. One death was reported in the placebo group before week 16.

CONCLUSION

IV secukinumab led to rapid and sustained improvements in clinical measures of PsA, and the safety profile was consistent with that of secukinumab administered subcutaneously.

Hierarchical communities in the larval Drosophila connectome: Links to cellular annotations and network topology

One of the longstanding aims of network neuroscience is to link a connectome's topological properties-i.e., features defined from connectivity alone-with an organism's neurobiology. One approach for doing so is to compare connectome properties with annotational maps. This type of analysis is popular at the meso-/macroscale, but is less common at the nano-scale, owing to a paucity of neuron-level connectome data. However, recent methodological advances have made possible the reconstruction of whole-brain connectomes at single-neuron resolution for a select set of organisms. These include the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and its developing larvae. In addition to fine-scale descriptions of connectivity, these datasets are accompanied by rich annotations. Here, we use a variant of the stochastic blockmodel to detect multilevel communities in the larval Drosophila connectome. We find that communities partition neurons based on function and cell type and that most interact assortatively, reflecting the principle of functional segregation. However, a small number of communities interact nonassortatively, forming form a "rich-club" of interneurons that receive sensory/ascending inputs and deliver outputs along descending pathways. Next, we investigate the role of community structure in shaping communication patterns. We find that polysynaptic signaling follows specific trajectories across modular hierarchies, with interneurons playing a key role in mediating communication routes between modules and hierarchical scales. Our work suggests a relationship between system-level architecture and the biological function and classification of individual neurons. We envision our study as an important step toward bridging the gap between complex systems and neurobiological lines of investigation in brain sciences.

Marizomib for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: A randomized phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Standard treatment for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma includes surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy (TMZ/RT→TMZ). The proteasome has long been considered a promising therapeutic target because of its role as a central biological hub in tumor cells. Marizomib is a novel pan-proteasome inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier.

METHODS

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 1709/Canadian Cancer Trials Group CE.8 was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label phase 3 superiority trial. Key eligibility criteria included newly diagnosed glioblastoma, age > 18 years and Karnofsky performance status > 70. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The primary objective was to compare overall survival (OS) in patients receiving marizomib in addition to TMZ/RT→TMZ with patients receiving the only standard treatment in the whole population and in the subgroup of patients with MGMT promoter-unmethylated tumors.

RESULTS

The trial was opened at 82 institutions in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. A total of 749 patients (99.9% of the planned 750) were randomized. OS was not different between the standard and the marizomib arm (median 17 vs. 16.5 months; HR = 1.04; P = .64). PFS was not statistically different either (median 6.0 vs. 6.3 months; HR = 0.97; P = .67). In patients with MGMT promoter-unmethylated tumors, OS was also not different between standard therapy and marizomib (median 14.5 vs. 15.1 months, HR = 1.13; P = .27). More CTCAE grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events were observed in the marizomib arm than in the standard arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding marizomib to standard temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy resulted in more toxicity, but did not improve OS or PFS in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Asundexian versus Apixaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Stroke prevention with direct-acting oral anticoagulant agents in patients with atrial fibrillation confers a risk of bleeding and limits their use. Asundexian, an activated factor XI (XIa) inhibitor, is an oral anticoagulant that may prevent strokes with less bleeding.

METHODS

In a phase 3, international, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation in a 1:1 ratio to receive asundexian at a dose of 50 mg once daily or standard-dose apixaban. The primary efficacy objective was to determine whether asundexian is at least noninferior to apixaban for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism. The primary safety objective was to determine whether asundexian is superior to apixaban with respect to major bleeding events.

RESULTS

A total of 14,810 randomly assigned patients were included in the intention-to-treat population. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 73.9±7.7 years, 35.2% were women, 18.6% had chronic kidney disease, 18.2% had a previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, 16.8% had received oral anticoagulants for no more than 6 weeks, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score (range, 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of stroke) was 4.3±1.3. The trial was stopped prematurely at the recommendation of the independent data monitoring committee. Stroke or systemic embolism occurred in 98 patients (1.3%) assigned to receive asundexian and in 26 (0.4%) assigned to receive apixaban (hazard ratio, 3.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.46 to 5.83). Major bleeding occurred in 17 patients (0.2%) who received asundexian and in 53 (0.7%) who received apixaban (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.55). The incidence of any adverse event appeared to be similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for stroke, treatment with asundexian at a dose of 50 mg once daily was associated with a higher incidence of stroke or systemic embolism than treatment with apixaban in the period before the trial was stopped prematurely. There were fewer major bleeding events with asundexian than with apixaban during this time. (Funded by Bayer; OCEANIC-AF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05643573; EudraCT number, 2022-000758-28.).

Effect of Secukinumab Versus Adalimumab Biosimilar on Radiographic Progression in Patients With Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results From a Head-to-Head Randomized Phase IIIb Study

OBJECTIVE

Spinal radiographic progression is an important outcome in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). The objective of the phase IIIb SURPASS study was to compare spinal radiographic progression in patients with radiographic axial SpA treated with secukinumab (interleukin-17A inhibitor) versus adalimumab biosimilar (Sandoz adalimumab [SDZ-ADL]; tumor necrosis factor inhibitor).

METHODS

Biologic-naive patients with active radiographic axial SpA, at high risk of radiographic progression (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] ≥5 mg/L and/or ≥1 syndesmophyte[s] on spinal radiographs), were randomized (1:1:1) to secukinumab (150/300 mg) or SDZ-ADL (40 mg). The proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (change from baseline [CFB] in modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score [mSASSS] ≤0.5) on secukinumab versus SDZ-ADL at week 104 (primary endpoint), mean CFB-mSASSS, proportion of patients with ≥1 syndesmophyte(s) at baseline with no new syndesmophyte(s), and safety were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 859 patients (78.5% male, mSASSS 16.6, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index 7.1, hsCRP 20.4 mg/L, and 73.0% with ≥1 syndesmophyte[s]) received secukinumab 150 mg (n = 287), secukinumab 300 mg (n = 286), or SDZ-ADL (n = 286). At week 104, the proportion of patients with no radiographic progression was 66.1%, 66.9%, and 65.6% (P = not significant, both secukinumab doses) and mean CFB-mSASSS was 0.54, 0.55, and 0.72 in secukinumab 150 mg, secukinumab 300 mg, and SDZ-ADL arms, respectively. Overall, 56.9%, 53.8%, and 53.3% of patients on secukinumab 150 mg, secukinumab 300 mg, and SDZ-ADL, respectively, with ≥1 syndesmophyte(s) at baseline did not develop new syndesmophyte(s) by week 104. There were no unexpected safety findings.

CONCLUSION

Spinal radiographic progression over two years was low with no significant difference between secukinumab and SDZ-ADL arms. The safety of both treatments was consistent with previous reports.

Simulating survival data when one subgroup lacks information

In this paper, we aim to show the process of simulating survival data when the distribution of the overall population and one subgroup (called "positive subgroup") as well as the proportion of the subgroup is known, while the distribution of the other subgroup (called "negative subgroup") is unknown. We propose a combination method which generates survival data of the positive subgroup and negative subgroup, respectively, and survival data of the overall population are the combination of the two subgroups. The parameters of the overall population and the positive subgroup need to satisfy certain constraints, otherwise the parameters may lead to contradictions. From simulation, we show that our proposed combination method can reflect the correlation between the test statistics of overall population and positive subgroup, which makes the simulated data more realistic and the results of simulation more reliable. Moreover, for a multiplicity control in trial design, the combination method can help to determine the α splitting strategy between primary endpoints, and is helpful in designs of clinical trials as shown in three applications.

Randomized investigation of increased dialyzer membrane hydrophilicity on hemocompatibility and performance

BACKGROUND

Hemodialyzers should efficiently eliminate small and middle molecular uremic toxins and possess exceptional hemocompatibility to improve well-being of patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, performance and hemocompatibility get compromised during treatment due to adsorption of plasma proteins to the dialyzer membrane. Increased membrane hydrophilicity reduces protein adsorption to the membrane and was implemented in the novel FX CorAL dialyzer. The present randomized controlled trial compares performance and hemocompatibility profiles of the FX CorAL dialyzer to other commonly used dialyzers applied in hemodiafiltration treatments.

METHODS

This prospective, open, controlled, multicentric, interventional, crossover study randomized stable patients on post-dilution online hemodiafiltration (HDF) to FX CorAL 600, FX CorDiax 600 (both Fresenius Medical Care) and xevonta Hi 15 (B. Braun) each for 4 weeks. Primary outcome was β2-microglobulin removal rate (β2-m RR). Non-inferiority and superiority of FX CorAL versus comparators were tested. Secondary endpoints were RR and/or clearance of small and middle molecules, and intra- and interdialytic profiles of hemocompatibility markers, with regards to complement activation, cell activation/inflammation, platelet activation and oxidative stress. Further endpoints were patient reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical safety.

RESULTS

82 patients were included and 76 analyzed as intention-to-treat (ITT) population. FX CorAL showed the highest β2-m RR (76.28%), followed by FX CorDiax (75.69%) and xevonta (74.48%). Non-inferiority to both comparators and superiority to xevonta were statistically significant. Secondary endpoints related to middle molecules corroborated these results; performance for small molecules was comparable between dialyzers. Regarding intradialytic hemocompatibility, FX CorAL showed lower complement, white blood cell, and platelet activation. There were no differences in interdialytic hemocompatibility, PROs, or clinical safety.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel FX CorAL with increased membrane hydrophilicity showed strong performance and a favorable hemocompatibility profile as compared to other commonly used dialyzers in clinical practice. Further long-term investigations should examine whether the benefits of FX CorAL will translate into improved cardiovascular and mortality endpoints.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

eMPORA III registration on 19/01/2021 at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04714281).

Microstructural properties in subacute aphasia: concurrent and prospective relationships underpinning recovery

BACKGROUND

Few investigations examined the relationship between microstructural white matter integrity and subacute post-stroke linguistic performance or the relationship between microstructural integrity and the recovery of language function. We examined two key questions: (1) How does subacute language performance, measured in single words and discourse, relate to the microstructural integrity of key white matter regions of interest in the language network? and (2) Does the integrity of these regions before treatment predict the improvement or resolution of linguistic symptoms immediately and chronically following treatment?

METHODS

58 participants within the first three months of stroke were enrolled in a randomized, single-center, double-blind, sham-controlled, study of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with a computer-delivered speech and language naming therapy for subacute aphasia and were asked to complete magnetic resonance imaging at enrollment. Microstructural integrity was evaluated using diffusion tensor imaging processed with atlas-based segmentation. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A subset of 22 participants received diffusion tensor imaging. Picture naming accuracy significantly correlated with lower mean diffusivity (higher microstructural integrity) in the left posterior inferior temporal gyrus. Recovery of naming performance was predicted by days since stroke and baseline microstructural integrity of the left posterior middle temporal gyrus, arcuate fasciculus, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Recovery of discourse efficiency was significantly predicted by the same model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates an association between picture naming and discourse and microstructural integrity of the key regions in the language network for patients with subacute post-stroke aphasia. Baseline microstructural integrity significantly predicts language recovery.

Tirzepatide for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by disordered breathing during sleep and is associated with major cardiovascular complications; excess adiposity is an etiologic risk factor. Tirzepatide may be a potential treatment.

METHODS

We conducted two phase 3, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials involving adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Participants who were not receiving treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP) at baseline were enrolled in trial 1, and those who were receiving PAP therapy at baseline were enrolled in trial 2. The participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either the maximum tolerated dose of tirzepatide (10 mg or 15 mg) or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary end point was the change in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, the number of apneas and hypopneas during an hour of sleep) from baseline. Key multiplicity-controlled secondary end points included the percent change in AHI and body weight and changes in hypoxic burden, patient-reported sleep impairment and disturbance, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration, and systolic blood pressure.

RESULTS

At baseline, the mean AHI was 51.5 events per hour in trial 1 and 49.5 events per hour in trial 2, and the mean body-mass index (BMI, the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) was 39.1 and 38.7, respectively. In trial 1, the mean change in AHI at week 52 was -25.3 events per hour (95% confidence interval [CI], -29.3 to -21.2) with tirzepatide and -5.3 events per hour (95% CI, -9.4 to -1.1) with placebo, for an estimated treatment difference of -20.0 events per hour (95% CI, -25.8 to -14.2) (P<0.001). In trial 2, the mean change in AHI at week 52 was -29.3 events per hour (95% CI, -33.2 to -25.4) with tirzepatide and -5.5 events per hour (95% CI, -9.9 to -1.2) with placebo, for an estimated treatment difference of -23.8 events per hour (95% CI, -29.6 to -17.9) (P<0.001). Significant improvements in the measurements for all prespecified key secondary end points were observed with tirzepatide as compared with placebo. The most frequently reported adverse events with tirzepatide were gastrointestinal in nature and mostly mild to moderate in severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Among persons with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, tirzepatide reduced the AHI, body weight, hypoxic burden, hsCRP concentration, and systolic blood pressure and improved sleep-related patient-reported outcomes. (Funded by Eli Lilly; SURMOUNT-OSA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05412004.).

New strategies for confirmatory testing of secondary hypotheses on combined data from multiple trials

BACKGROUND

Pivotal evidence of efficacy of a new drug is typically generated by (at least) two clinical trials which independently provide statistically significant and mutually corroborating evidence of efficacy based on a primary endpoint. In this situation, showing drug effects on clinically important secondary objectives can be demanding in terms of sample size requirements. Statistically efficient methods to power for such endpoints while controlling the Type I error are needed.

METHODS

We review existing strategies for establishing claims on important but sample size-intense secondary endpoints. We present new strategies based on combined data from two independent, identically designed and concurrent trials, controlling the Type I error at the submission level. We explain the methodology and provide three case studies.

RESULTS

Different strategies have been used for establishing secondary claims. One new strategy, involving a protocol planned analysis of combined data across trials, and controlling the Type I error at the submission level, is particularly efficient. It has already been successfully used in support of label claims. Regulatory views on this strategy differ.

CONCLUSIONS

Inference on combined data across trials is a useful approach for generating pivotal evidence of efficacy for important but sample size-intense secondary endpoints. It requires careful preparation and regulatory discussion.

Co-crystal of Tramadol-Celecoxib Versus Tramadol or Placebo for Acute Moderate-to-Severe Pain After Oral Surgery: Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Trial (STARDOM1)

INTRODUCTION

Co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib (CTC) is the first analgesic co-crystal for acute pain. This completed phase 3 multicenter, double-blind trial assessed the efficacy and safety/tolerability of CTC in comparison with that of tramadol in the setting of moderate-to-severe pain up to 72 h after elective third molar extraction requiring bone removal.

METHODS

Adults (n = 726) were assigned randomly to five groups (2:2:2:2:1): orally administered twice-daily CTC 100 mg (44 mg rac-tramadol hydrochloride/56 mg celecoxib; n = 164), 150 mg (66/84 mg; n = 160) or 200 mg (88/112 mg; n = 160); tramadol 100 mg four times daily (n = 159); or placebo four times daily (n = 83). Participants in CTC groups also received twice-daily placebo. The full analysis set included all participants who underwent randomization. The primary endpoint was the sum of pain intensity differences over 0 to 4 h (SPID0-4; visual analog scale). Key secondary endpoints included 4-h 50% responder and rescue medication use rates. Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs), laboratory measures, and Opioid-Related Symptom Distress Scale (OR-SDS) score.

RESULTS

All CTC doses were superior to placebo (P < 0.001) for primary and key secondary endpoints. All were superior to tramadol for SPID0-4 (analysis of covariance least squares mean differences [95% confidence interval]: - 37.1 [- 56.5, - 17.6], - 40.2 [- 59.7, - 20.6], and - 41.7 [- 61.2, - 22.2] for 100, 150, and 200 mg CTC, respectively; P < 0.001) and 4-h 50% responder rate. Four-hour 50% responder rates were 32.9% (CTC 100 mg), 33.8% (CTC 150 mg), 40.6% (CTC 200 mg), 20.1% (tramadol), and 7.2% (placebo). Rescue medication use was lower in the 100-mg (P = 0.013) and 200-mg (P = 0.003) CTC groups versus tramadol group. AE incidence and OR-SDS scores were highest for tramadol alone.

CONCLUSIONS

CTC demonstrated superior pain relief compared with tramadol or placebo, as well as an improved benefit/risk profile versus tramadol.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02982161; EudraCT number, 2016-000592-24.

Step-down multiple testing procedures for the overall population and partitioning subgroups

Multiple comparisons procedures are described for two-armed studies where there is a primary hypothesis and one or more ordered secondary hypotheses in the scenario where the objective is to test for an effect on the overall population and/or nonoverlapping subgroups that partition the population. This scenario arises when the subgroups are defined by disease etiology or by other patient characteristics such as genetic factors, age, sex, or race, and the treatment may have differential effects in the subgroups. The procedures described control the family-wise error rate in the strong sense at a specified level α.

Optimal weighted Bonferroni tests and their graphical extensions

Regulatory guidelines mandate the strong control of the familywise error rate in confirmatory clinical trials with primary and secondary objectives. Bonferroni tests are one of the popular choices for multiple comparison procedures and are building blocks of more advanced procedures. It is usually of interest to find the optimal weighted Bonferroni split for multiple hypotheses. We consider two popular quantities as the optimization objectives, which are the disjunctive power and the conjunctive power. The former is the probability to reject at least one false hypothesis and the latter is the probability to reject all false hypotheses. We investigate the behavior of each of them as a function of different Bonferroni splits, given assumptions about the alternative hypotheses and correlations between test statistics. Under independent tests, unique optimal Bonferroni weights exist; under dependence, optimal Bonferroni weights may not be unique based on a fine grid search. In general, we propose an optimization algorithm based on constrained nonlinear optimization and multiple starting points. The proposed algorithm efficiently identifies optimal Bonferroni weights to maximize the disjunctive or conjunctive power. In addition, we apply the proposed algorithm to graphical approaches, which include many Bonferroni-based multiple comparison procedures. Utilizing the closed testing principle, we adopt a two-step approach to find optimal graphs using the disjunctive power. We also identify a class of closed test procedures that optimize the conjunctive power. We apply the proposed algorithm to a case study to illustrate the utility of optimal graphical approaches that reflect study objectives.

Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Galcanezumab Versus Rimegepant for Prevention of Episodic Migraine: Results from a Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

There have been no prior trials directly comparing the efficacy of different calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists for migraine prevention. Reported are the results from the first head-to-head study of two CGRP antagonists, galcanezumab (monoclonal antibody) versus rimegepant (gepant), for the prevention of episodic migraine.

METHODS

In this 3-month, double-blind, double-dummy study, participants were randomized (1:1) to subcutaneous (SC) galcanezumab 120 mg per month (after a 240 mg loading dose) and a placebo oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) every other day (q.o.d.) or to rimegepant 75 mg ODT q.o.d. and a monthly SC placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with a ≥ 50% reduction in migraine headache days per month from baseline across the 3-month double-blind treatment period. Key secondary endpoints were overall mean change from baseline in: migraine headache days per month across 3 months and at month 3, 2, and 1; migraine headache days per month with acute migraine medication use; Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire Role Function-Restrictive domain score at month 3; and a ≥ 75% and 100% reduction from baseline in migraine headache days per month across 3 months.

RESULTS

Of 580 randomized participants (galcanezumab: 287, rimegepant: 293; mean age: 42 years), 83% were female and 81% Caucasian. Galcanezumab was not superior to rimegepant in achieving a ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in migraine headache days per month (62% versus 61% respectively; P = 0.70). Given the pre-specified multiple testing procedure, key secondary endpoints cannot be considered statistically significant. Overall, treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 21% of participants, with no significant differences between study intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Galcanezumab was not superior to rimegepant for the primary endpoint; however, both interventions demonstrated efficacy as preventive treatments in participants with episodic migraine. The efficacy and safety profiles observed in galcanezumab-treated participants were consistent with previous studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinTrials.gov-NCT05127486 (I5Q-MC-CGBD).

Reverse graphical approaches for multiple test procedures

The graphical approach has been proposed as a general framework for clinical trial designs involving multiple hypotheses, where decisions are made only based on the observed marginal p -values. The graphical approach starts from a graph that includes all hypotheses as vertices and gradually removes some vertices when their corresponding hypotheses are rejected. In this paper, we propose a reverse graphical approach, which starts from a set of singleton graphs and gradually adds vertices into graphs until rejection of a set of hypotheses is made. Proofs of familywise error rate control are provided. A simulation study is conducted for statistical power analysis, and a case study is included to illustrate how the proposed approach can be applied to clinical studies.

Sabatolimab plus hypomethylating agents in previously untreated patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (STIMULUS-MDS1): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Sabatolimab is an immunotherapy targeting T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3), an immuno-myeloid regulator expressed on immune cells and leukaemic stem cells. In this trial, we compared the efficacy and safety of sabatolimab plus hypomethylating agent with placebo plus hypomethylating agents in previously untreated patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

METHODS

STIMULUS-MDS1 was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study done at 54 investigational sites in 17 countries. Adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with intermediate-risk, high-risk, and very high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (according to Revised International Prognostic Scoring System criteria) who had not received previous treatment were included. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to intravenous sabatolimab (400 mg on day 8 and 22) or placebo plus a hypomethylating agent (intravenous decitabine 20 mg/m2 on day 1-5 or intravenous or subcutaneous azacitidine 75 mg/m2 on day 1-7 or day 1-5 and day 8 and 9) every 28 days until treatment discontinuation. The two primary endpoints were complete response rate and progression-free survival, assessed in the full analysis set, which included all randomly assigned patients. Complete response was analysed, as prespecified, 7 months after the last patient was randomly assigned. All other analyses presented, including progression-free survival, were done at the final data cutoff prespecified via a protocol amendment on Sept 2, 2021. Safety was assessed in in all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03946670, and is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between July 29, 2019, and Aug 10, 2020, 127 patients were randomly assigned to sabatolimab plus a hypomethylating agent group (sabatolimab group; n=65) or placebo plus a hypomethylating agent (placebo group; n=62). The median age of participants was 73 years (IQR 69-77), of whom 86 (68%) of 127 patients were male and 77 (61%) were White. The primary endpoints were not met. Complete response (cutoff date of March 10, 2021) was achieved in 14 (22%; 95% CI 12·3-33·5) of 65 patients in the sabatolimab group vs 11 (18%; 9·2-29·5) of 62 patients in the placebo group (p=0·77). At the cutoff date of the final analysis (March 1, 2022), median follow-up for progression-free survival was 17·8 months (IQR 16·6-19·4) in the sabatolimab group and 19·2 months (17·7-22·3) in the placebo group, and the median progression-free survival was 11·1 months (95% CI 7·6-17·6) in the sabatolimab group vs 8·5 months (6·9-11·3) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·75 [95% CI 0·48-1·17]; p=0·1022). The most common adverse events of any grade were neutropenia (35 [56%] of 62 patients in the sabatolimab group vs 43 [68%] of 63 patients in the placebo group), thrombocytopenia (30 [48%] vs 32 [51%]), constipation (29 [47%] vs 24 [38%]), diarrhoea (27 [44%] vs 14 [22%]), anaemia (22 [35%] vs 34 [54%]), febrile neutropenia (22 [35%] vs 15 [24%]), and leukopenia (15 [24%] vs 20 [32%]). One patient developed a serious potential treatment-related immune-mediated adverse event in the sabatolimab group. There was one treatment-related death in the sabatolimab group due to pneumonitis.

INTERPRETATION

The addition of sabatolimab to hypomethylating agents in this study did not result in a significant improvement in complete response rates or progression-free survival. Sabatolimab had a manageable safety in most patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. A randomised phase 3 trial is ongoing to assess the potential benefit of sabatolimab plus azacitidine on overall survival in this setting.

FUNDING

Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Sample size optimization for clinical trials using graphical approaches for multiplicity adjustment

Graphical approach provides a useful framework for multiplicity adjustment in clinical trials with multiple endpoints. When designing a graphical approach, initial weight and transition probability for the endpoints are often assigned based on clinical importance. For example, practitioners may prefer putting more weights on some primary endpoints. The clinical preference can be formulated as a constrain in the sample size optimization problem. However, there has been a lack of theoretical guidance on how to specify initial weight and transition probability in a graphical approach to meet the clinical preference but at the same time to minimize the sample size needed for a power requirement. To fill this gap, we propose statistical methods to optimize sample size over initial weight and transition probability in a graphical approach under a common setting, which is to use marginal power for each endpoint in a trial design. Importantly, we prove that some of the commonly used graphical approaches such as putting all initial weights on one endpoint are suboptimal. Our methods are flexible, which can be used for both single-arm trials and randomized controlled trials with either continuous or binary or mixed types of endpoints. Additionally, we prove the existence of optimal solution where all marginal powers are placed exactly at the prespecified values, assuming continuity. Two hypothetical clinical trial designs are presented to illustrate the application of our methods under different scenarios. Results are first presented for a design with two endpoints and are further generalized to three or more endpoints. Our findings are helpful to guide the design of a graphical approach and the sample size calculation in clinical trials.

Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus lenvatinib plus placebo for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (LEAP-002): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Systemic therapies have improved the management of hepatocellular carcinoma, but there is still a need to further enhance overall survival in first-line advanced stages. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of pembrolizumab to lenvatinib versus lenvatinib plus placebo in the first-line setting for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

In this global, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study (LEAP-002), patients aged 18 years or older with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, Child Pugh class A liver disease, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and no previous systemic treatment were enrolled at 172 global sites. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) with a central interactive voice-response system (block size of 4) to receive lenvatinib (bodyweight <60 kg, 8 mg/day; bodyweight ≥60 kg, 12 mg/day) plus pembrolizumab (200 mg every 3 weeks) or lenvatinib plus placebo. Randomisation was stratified by geographical region, macrovascular portal vein invasion or extrahepatic spread or both, α-fetoprotein concentration, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. Dual primary endpoints were overall survival (superiority threshold at final overall survival analysis, one-sided p=0·019; final analysis to occur after 532 events) and progression-free survival (superiority threshold one-sided p=0·002; final analysis to occur after 571 events) in the intention-to-treat population. Results from the final analysis are reported. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03713593, and is active but not recruiting.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 17, 2019, and April 28, 2020, of 1309 patients assessed, 794 were randomly assigned to lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (n=395) or lenvatinib plus placebo (n=399). Median age was 66·0 years (IQR 57·0-72·0), 644 (81%) of 794 were male, 150 (19%) were female, 345 (43%) were Asian, 345 (43%) were White, 22 (3%) were multiple races, 21 (3%) were American Indian or Alaska Native, 21 (3%) were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 13 (2%) were Black or African American, and 46 (6%) did not have available race data. Median follow up as of data cutoff for the final analysis (June 21, 2022) was 32·1 months (IQR 29·4-35·3). Median overall survival was 21·2 months (95% CI 19·0-23·6; 252 [64%] of 395 died) with lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus 19·0 months (17·2-21·7; 282 [71%] of 399 died) with lenvatinib plus placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0·84; 95% CI 0·71-1·00; stratified log-rank p=0·023). As of data cutoff for the progression-free survival final analysis (April 5, 2021), median progression-free survival was 8·2 months (95% CI 6·4-8·4; 270 events occurred [42 deaths; 228 progressions]) with lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus 8·0 months (6·3-8·2; 301 events occurred [36 deaths; 265 progressions]) with lenvatinib plus placebo (HR 0·87; 95% CI 0·73-1·02; stratified log-rank p=0·047). The most common treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events were hypertension (69 [17%] of 395 patients in the lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab group vs 68 [17%] of 395 patients) in the lenvatinib plus placebo group), increased aspartate aminotransferase (27 [7%] vs 17 [4%]), and diarrhoea (25 [6%] vs 15 [4%]). Treatment-related deaths occurred in four (1%) patients in the lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab group (due to gastrointestinal haemorrhage and hepatorenal syndrome [n=1 each] and hepatic encephalopathy [n=2]) and in three (1%) patients in the lenvatinib plus placebo group (due to gastrointestinal haemorrhage, hepatorenal syndrome, and cerebrovascular accident [n=1 each]).

INTERPRETATION

In earlier studies, the addition of pembrolizumab to lenvatinib as first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma has shown promising clinical activity; however, lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab did not meet prespecified significance for improved overall survival and progression-free survival versus lenvatinib plus placebo. Our findings do not support a change in clinical practice.

FUNDING

Eisai US, and Merck Sharp & Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck.

Recognition and perception of emotions in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Perception and recognition of emotions are fundamental prerequisites of human life. Patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) may have emotional and behavioral impairments that might influence socially desirable interactions. We aimed to investigate perception and recognition of emotions in patients with JME by means of neuropsychological tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODS

Sixty-five patients with JME (median age = 27 years, interquartile range [IQR] = 23-34) were prospectively recruited at the Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. Patients were compared to 68 healthy controls (median age = 24 years, IQR = 21-31), matched for sex, age, and education. All study participants underwent the Networks of Emotion Processing test battery (NEmo), an fMRI paradigm of "dynamic fearful faces," a structured interview for psychiatric and personality disorders, and comprehensive neuropsychological testing.

RESULTS

JME patients versus healthy controls demonstrated significant deficits in emotion recognition in facial and verbal tasks of all emotions, especially fear. fMRI revealed decreased amygdala activation in JME patients as compared to healthy controls. Patients were at a higher risk of experiencing psychiatric disorders as compared to healthy controls. Cognitive evaluation revealed impaired attentional and executive functioning, namely psychomotor speed, tonic alertness, divided attention, mental flexibility, and inhibition of automated reactions. Duration of epilepsy correlated negatively with parallel prosodic and facial emotion recognition in NEmo. Deficits in emotion recognition were not associated with psychiatric comorbidities, impaired attention and executive functions, types of seizures, and treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE

This prospective study demonstrated that as compared to healthy subjects, patients with JME had significant deficits in recognition and perception of emotions as shown by neuropsychological tests and fMRI. The results of this study may have importance for psychological/psychotherapeutic interventions in the management of patients with JME.

A comparison of structural morphometry in children and adults with persistent developmental stuttering

This cross-sectional study aimed to differentiate earlier occurring neuroanatomical differences that may reflect core deficits in stuttering versus changes associated with a longer duration of stuttering by analysing structural morphometry in a large sample of children and adults who stutter and age-matched controls. Whole-brain T1-weighted structural scans were obtained from 166 individuals who stutter (74 children, 92 adults; ages 3-58) and 191 controls (92 children, 99 adults; ages 3-53) from eight prior studies in our laboratories. Mean size and gyrification measures were extracted using FreeSurfer software for each cortical region of interest. FreeSurfer software was also used to generate subcortical volumes for regions in the automatic subcortical segmentation. For cortical analyses, separate ANOVA analyses of size (surface area, cortical thickness) and gyrification (local gyrification index) measures were conducted to test for a main effect of diagnosis (stuttering, control) and the interaction of diagnosis-group with age-group (children, adults) across cortical regions. Cortical analyses were first conducted across a set of regions that comprise the speech network and then in a second whole-brain analysis. Next, separate ANOVA analyses of volume were conducted across subcortical regions in each hemisphere. False discovery rate corrections were applied for all analyses. Additionally, we tested for correlations between structural morphometry and stuttering severity. Analyses revealed thinner cortex in children who stutter compared with controls in several key speech-planning regions, with significant correlations between cortical thickness and stuttering severity. These differences in cortical size were not present in adults who stutter, who instead showed reduced gyrification in the right inferior frontal gyrus. Findings suggest that early cortical anomalies in key speech planning regions may be associated with stuttering onset. Persistent stuttering into adulthood may result from network-level dysfunction instead of focal differences in cortical morphometry. Adults who stutter may also have a more heterogeneous neural presentation than children who stutter due to their unique lived experiences.

Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy for HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer (KEYNOTE-859): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have shown efficacy in gastric or gastro-esophageal junction cancer. We compared the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy with placebo plus chemotherapy in participants with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

KEYNOTE-859 is a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, phase 3 trial, done at 207 medical centres across 33 countries. Eligible participants were aged 18 years and older with previously untreated histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive pembrolizumab or placebo 200 mg, administered intravenously every 3 weeks for up to 35 cycles. All participants received investigator's choice of fluorouracil (intravenous, 800 mg/m2 per day) administered continuously on days 1-5 of each 3-week cycle plus cisplatin (intravenous, 80 mg/m2) administered on day 1 of each 3-week cycle or capecitabine (oral, 1000 mg/m2) administered twice daily on days 1-14 of each 3-week cycle plus oxaliplatin (intravenous, 130 mg/m2) administered on day 1 of each 3-week cycle. Randomisation was done using a central interactive voice-response system and stratified by geographical region, PD-L1 status, and chemotherapy in permuted block sizes of four. The primary endpoint was overall survival, assessed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, and the populations with a PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) of 1 or higher, and PD-L1 CPS of 10 or higher. Safety was assessed in the as-treated population, which included all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose of study intervention. Here, we report the results of the interim analysis. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03675737, and recruitment is complete.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 8, 2018, and June 11, 2021, 1579 (66%) of 2409 screened participants were randomly assigned to receive pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (pembrolizumab group; n=790) or placebo plus chemotherapy (placebo group; n=789). Most participants were male (527 [67%] of 790 participants in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group; 544 [69%] of 789 participants in the placebo plus chemotherapy group) and White (426 [54%]; 435 [55%]). Median follow-up at the data cutoff was 31·0 months (IQR 23·0-38·3). Median overall survival was longer in the pembrolizumab group than in the placebo group in the ITT population (12·9 months [95% CI 11·9-14·0] vs 11·5 months [10·6-12·1]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·78 [95% CI 0·70-0·87]; p<0·0001), in participants with a PD-L1 CPS of 1 or higher (13·0 months [11·6-14·2] vs 11·4 months [10·5-12·0]; 0·74 [0·65-0·84]; p<0·0001), and in participants with a PD-L1 CPS of 10 or higher (15·7 months [13·8-19·3] vs 11·8 months [10·3-12·7]; 0·65 [0·53-0·79]; p<0·0001). The most common grade 3-5 adverse events of any cause were anaemia (95 [12%] of 785 participants in the pembrolizumab group vs 76 [10%] of 787 participants in the placebo group) and decreased neutrophil count (77 [10%] vs 64 [8%]). Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 184 (23%) participants in the pembrolizumab group and 146 (19%) participants in the placebo group. Treatment-related deaths occurred in eight (1%) participants in the pembrolizumab group and 16 (2%) participants in the placebo group. No new safety signals were identified.

INTERPRETATION

Participants in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group had a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival with manageable toxicity compared with participants in the placebo plus chemotherapy group. Therefore, pembrolizumab with chemotherapy might be a first-line treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

FUNDING

Merck Sharp and Dohme.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement in patients at low to intermediate surgical risk: rationale and design of the randomised DEDICATE Trial

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the preferred treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis at increased risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and for older patients irrespective of risk. However, in younger, low-risk patients for whom both therapeutic options, TAVI and SAVR, are applicable, the optimal treatment strategy remains controversial, as data on long-term outcomes remain limited. The DEDICATE-DZHK6 Trial is an investigator-initiated, industry-independent, prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of TAVI compared to SAVR in low- to intermediate-risk patients aged 65 years or older. To evaluate both treatment strategies, approximately 1,404 patients determined eligible for both TAVI and SAVR by the interdisciplinary Heart Team were randomised to TAVI or SAVR. Broad inclusion and strict exclusion criteria targeted an all-comers patient population. Procedures were performed according to local best practice with contemporary routine medical devices. The primary endpoints are a composite of mortality or stroke at 1 year and 5 years in order to incorporate midterm efficacy results and complement early safety data. Primary outcomes will be tested sequentially for non-inferiority and superiority. The DEDICATE-DZHK6 Trial has been designed to mirror clinical reality for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis and provide unique information on overall outcomes after TAVI and SAVR that can be directly applied to clinical routines. Its results will help further define optimal treatment strategies for low- to intermediate-risk patients in whom both TAVI and SAVR are currently advisable.

Rationale and design of a randomized study comparing the Watchman FLX device to DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) was developed as a nonpharmacologic alternative to oral anticoagulants (OACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are at an increased risk for stroke or systemic embolism. The Watchman device permanently seals off the LAA to prevent thrombi from escaping into the circulation. Previous randomized trials have established the safety and efficacy of LAAC compared to warfarin. However, direct OACs (DOACs) have become the preferred pharmacologic strategy for stroke prevention in patients with AF, and there is limited data comparing Watchman FLX to DOACs in a broad AF patient population. CHAMPION-AF is designed to prospectively determine whether LAAC with Watchman FLX is a reasonable first-line alternative to DOACs in patients with AF who are indicated for OAC therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 3,000 patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (men) or ≥3 (women) were randomized to Watchman FLX or DOAC in a 1:1 allocation at 142 global clinical sites. Patients in the device arm were to be treated with DOAC and aspirin, DOAC alone, or DAPT for at least 3 months postimplant followed by aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor for 1-year. Control patients were required to take an approved DOAC for the duration of the trial. Clinical follow-up visits are scheduled at 3- and 12-months, and then annually through 5 years; LAA imaging is required at 4 months in the device group. Two primary end points will be evaluated at 3 years: (1) composite of stroke (ischemic/hemorrhagic), cardiovascular death, and systemic embolism compared for noninferiority, and (2) nonprocedural bleeding (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis [ISTH] major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding) tested for superiority in the device arm against DOACs. The third primary noninferiority end point is the composite of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism at 5 years. Secondary end points include 3- and 5-year rates of (1) ISTH-defined major bleeding and (2) the composite of cardiovascular death, all stroke, systemic embolism, and nonprocedural ISTH bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will prospectively evaluate whether LAAC with the Watchman FLX device is a reasonable alternative to DOACs in patients with AF.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04394546.

Safety and efficacy of mirikizumab versus secukinumab and placebo in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (OASIS-2): a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind study

BACKGROUND

Risankizumab and guselkumab, inhibitors of the interleukin (IL)-23 p19 subunit, are approved for treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, and both have shown superiority over placebo in randomised clinical trials. Both agents have also shown superiority to the IL-17 inhibitor secukinumab at different timepoints. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the IL-23 p19 inhibitor mirikizumab versus placebo and secukinumab for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODS

OASIS-2 was a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial. We recruited participants aged at least 18 years who had a confirmed diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis for at least 6 months before baseline that involved at least 10% of body surface area (BSA), an absolute Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of at least 12, and a Static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) score of at least 3 at both the screening and baseline visits. We excluded patients who had an uncontrolled or unstable health condition at screening. We randomly assigned patients (4:4:4:1) to receive 250 mg mirikizumab every 4 weeks for 16 weeks (induction) then every 8 weeks from week 16 to week 52 (maintenance); 250 mg mirikizumab every 4 weeks for 16 weeks, then 125 mg mirikizumab every 8 weeks from week 16 to 52; 300 mg secukinumab once weekly up to week 4, then every 4 weeks thereafter; or placebo every 4 weeks for 16 weeks, followed by 250 mg mirikizumab every 4 weeks from week 16 to 32 and then every 8 weeks from week 32 to 52. The primary outcome was superiority of mirikizumab (250 mg induction dose) versus placebo at week 16, assessed as the proportion of patients with an sPGA score of 0 or 1 with an improvement from baseline of at least 2 points, and the proportion of patients with at least 90% improvement from baseline in PASI score (PASI 90), in the intention-to-treat-population. We assessed safety in all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose of mirikizumab until week 16 (induction safety population) and all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose of mirikizumab or secukinumab until week 52 (active treatment safety population). This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03535194, and is completed.

FINDINGS

Between June 26, 2018, and April 2, 2019, we screened 1738 participants, of whom 1465 (84·3%) were enrolled. The mean age of participants was 46·0 years (SD 13·8), 1000 (68·3%) were men, 465 (31·7%) were women, and 1195 (81·6%) were White. Participants were randomly assigned to receive mirikizumab 250 mg for induction and maintenance (n=454 [31·0%]), mirikizumab 250 mg for induction and 125 mg for maintenance (n=451 [30·8%]), secukinumab 300 mg (n=448 [30·6%]), or placebo followed by mirikizumab (n=112 [7·6%]). Baseline characteristics were similar across treatment groups. At week 16, 721 (79·7% [95% CI 77·0-82·3]) of 905 participants in the mirikizumab 250 mg induction groups had an sPGA score of 0 or 1 versus seven (6·3% [1·8-10·7]) of 112 participants in the placebo group (p<0·0001 for superiority). At week 16, 673 (74·4% [71·5-77·2]) of 905 participants in the mirikizumab groups had PASI 90 compared with seven (6·3% [1.8-10.7]) in the placebo group (p<0·0001 for superiority). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported with similar frequency across treatment groups during weeks 0-52. Four major adverse cardiovascular events were reported in the mirikizumab groups versus none in the placebo and secukinumab groups up to week 16, with one fatal acute myocardial infarction in a patient treated with mirikizumab, which the investigator considered to be related to the study drug.

INTERPRETATION

This trial showed superiority of mirikizumab at a dose of 250 mg over placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with a safety profile consistent with that of the IL-23 class. The study sponsor is not pursuing licensing of mirikizumab in this patient population because of a reprioritised development strategy with a focus on gastrointestinal-related indications.

FUNDING

Eli Lilly and Company.

Design of a phase III, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of BI 1015550 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (FIBRONEER-IPF)

IntroductionThere is an unmet need for new treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The oral preferential phosphodiesterase 4B inhibitor, BI 1015550, prevented a decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in a phase II study in patients with IPF. This study design describes the subsequent pivotal phase III study of BI 1015550 in patients with IPF (FIBRONEER-IPF).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase III trial, patients are being randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 9 mg or 18 mg of BI 1015550 or placebo two times per day over at least 52 weeks, stratified by use of background antifibrotics (nintedanib/pirfenidone vs neither). The primary endpoint is the absolute change in FVC at week 52. The key secondary endpoint is a composite of time to first acute IPF exacerbation, hospitalisation due to respiratory cause or death over the duration of the trial.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial is being carried out in compliance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, in accordance with the International Council on Harmonisation Guideline for Good Clinical Practice and other local ethics committees. The results of the study will be disseminated at scientific congresses and in peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05321069.

Targeting the Alternative Complement Pathway With Iptacopan to Treat IgA Nephropathy: Design and Rationale of the APPLAUSE-IgAN Study

Introduction

Targeting the alternative complement pathway (AP) is an attractive therapeutic strategy because of its role in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) pathophysiology. Iptacopan (LNP023), a proximal complement inhibitor that specifically binds to factor B and inhibits the AP, reduced proteinuria and attenuated AP activation in a Phase 2 study of patients with IgAN, thereby supporting the rationale for its evaluation in a Phase 3 study.

Methods

APPLAUSE-IgAN (NCT04578834) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 3 study enrolling approximately 450 adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with biopsy-confirmed primary IgAN at high risk of progression to kidney failure despite optimal supportive treatment. Eligible patients receiving stable and maximally tolerated doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) will be randomized 1:1 to either iptacopan 200 mg or placebo twice daily for a 24-month treatment period. A prespecified interim analysis (IA) will be performed when approximately 250 patients from the main study population complete the 9-month visit. The primary objective is to demonstrate superiority of iptacopan over placebo in reducing 24-hour urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) at the IA and demonstrate the superiority of iptacopan over placebo in slowing the rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline (total eGFR slope) estimated over 24 months at study completion. The effect of iptacopan on patient-reported outcomes, safety, and tolerability will be evaluated as secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

APPLAUSE-IgAN will evaluate the benefits and safety of iptacopan, a novel targeted therapy for IgAN, in reducing complement-mediated kidney damage and thus slowing or preventing disease progression.

An Extended Framework of Multiple Testing in Group Sequential Design

Here, we consider testing multiple hypotheses in group sequential trials. A graphical multiple test procedure was proposed for group sequential trials using weighted Bonferroni test. In this paper, we extend the framework for the graph-based group sequential procedure by applying a modified weighted Simes test. The proposed procedure preserves the familywise error rate. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performances of the proposed procedure. The proposed procedures are also illustrated with a numerical example.

Targeting patient recovery priorities in degenerative cervical myelopathy: design and rationale for the RECEDE-Myelopathy trial-study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common and disabling condition of symptomatic cervical spinal cord compression secondary to degenerative changes in spinal structures leading to a mechanical stress injury of the spinal cord. RECEDE-Myelopathy aims to test the disease-modulating activity of the phosphodiesterase 3/phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor Ibudilast as an adjuvant to surgical decompression in DCM.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

RECEDE-Myelopathy is a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants will be randomised to receive either 60-100 mg Ibudilast or placebo starting within 10 weeks prior to surgery and continuing for 24 weeks after surgery for a maximum of 34 weeks. Adults with DCM, who have a modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score 8-14 inclusive and are scheduled for their first decompressive surgery are eligible for inclusion. The coprimary endpoints are pain measured on a visual analogue scale and physical function measured by the mJOA score at 6 months after surgery. Clinical assessments will be undertaken preoperatively, postoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. We hypothesise that adjuvant therapy with Ibudilast leads to a meaningful and additional improvement in either pain or function, as compared with standard routine care.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical trial protocol V.2.2 October 2020.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from HRA-Wales.The results will be presented at an international and national scientific conferences and in a peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN Number: ISRCTN16682024.

Effect of Atogepant for Preventive Migraine Treatment on Patient-Reported Outcomes in the Randomized, Double-blind, Phase 3 ADVANCE Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist atogepant is indicated for the preventive treatment of episodic migraine. We evaluated changes in patient-reported outcomes with atogepant in adults with migraine.

METHODS

In this phase 3, 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial (ADVANCE), adults with 4-14 migraine days per month received atogepant (10, 30, or 60 mg) once daily or placebo. Secondary endpoints included changes from baseline in Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (MSQ) version 2.1 Role Function-Restrictive (RFR) domain at week 12 and mean monthly Activity Impairment in Migraine-Diary (AIM-D) Performance of Daily Activities (PDA) and Physical Impairment (PI) domains across the 12-week treatment period. Exploratory endpoints included change in MSQ Role Function-Preventive (RFP) and Emotional Function (EF) domains; AIM-D total scores; and change in Headache Impact Test (HIT)-6 scores.

RESULTS

Of 910 participants randomized, 873 comprised the modified intent-to-treat population (atogepant: 10 mg [n = 214]; 30 mg [n = 223]; and 60 mg [n = 222]; placebo [n = 214]). All atogepant groups demonstrated significantly greater improvements vs placebo in MSQ RFR that exceeded minimum clinically meaningful between-group difference (3.2 points) at week 12 (least-square mean difference [LSMD] vs placebo: 10 mg [9.9]; 30 mg [10.1]; 60 mg [10.8]; all p < 0.0001). LSMDs in monthly AIM-D PDA and PI scores across the 12-week treatment period improved significantly for the atogepant 30 (PDA: -2.54; p = 0.0003; PI: -1.99; and p = 0.0011) and 60 mg groups (PDA: -3.32; p < 0.0001; PI: -2.46; p < 0.0001), but not for the 10 mg group (PDA: -1.19; p = 0.086; PI: -1.08; p = 0.074). In exploratory analyses, atogepant 30 and 60 mg were associated with nominal improvements in MSQ RFP and EF domains, other AIM-D outcomes, and HIT-6 scores at the earliest time point (week 4) and throughout the 12-week treatment period. Results varied for atogepant 10 mg.

DISCUSSION

Atogepant 30 and 60 mg produced significant improvements in key patient-reported outcomes including MSQ-RFR scores and both AIM-D domains. Nominal improvements also occurred for other MSQ domains and HIT-6, reinforcing the beneficial effects of atogepant as a new treatment for migraine prevention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03777059. Submitted: December 13, 2018; First patient enrolled: December 14, 2018.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT03777059.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class II evidence that daily atogepant is associated with improvements in health-related quality-of-life measures in patients with 4-14 migraine days per month.

A Direct Patient-Provider Relationship With the Medical Physicist Reduces Anxiety in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE

The complex technological processes involved in radiation therapy can be intimidating to patients, causing increased treatment-related anxiety and reduced satisfaction. An intervention was implemented to provide direct consultations between patients and medical physicists to reduce patient anxiety and improve patient satisfaction. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to test the intervention's effect on anxiety, distress, treatment adherence, technical understanding, and satisfaction in patients receiving radiation therapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible patients were recruited into "intervention" and "standard of care" arms within a phase 2 screening randomized trial. Intervention-arm patients met with a medical physicist who provided technical information and addressed patient questions or concerns at the time of treatment simulation and before the first treatment. In addition to baseline information collected before randomization, participants were surveyed (1) before simulation, (2) before the first treatment, and (3) before the completion of treatment to evaluate the study endpoints. Primary endpoints included patient anxiety and distress. Secondary endpoints included patient treatment adherence, overall satisfaction, and technical understanding of treatment. Patients in the intervention arm were surveyed before and after each physicist meeting.

RESULTS

Participant anxiety was significantly reduced in the intervention arm (difference, -0.29; 95% confidence interval, -0.57 to -0.02; P = .038). No differences in distress or treatment adherence were observed between groups. Although measures of technical understanding and satisfaction were evaluated as exploratory objectives, participants in the intervention group were more likely to feel that technical aspects of treatment were adequately explained (difference, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-1.54), and all measures of technical understanding and satisfaction were considerably higher in the intervention group at the time of the first visit.

CONCLUSIONS

The establishment of a direct patient-provider relationship with the medical physicist reduced anxiety in patients receiving radiation therapy. In addition, increases in patient understanding of the technical aspects of care and in satisfaction were observed at the initiation of treatment.

Asciminib monotherapy for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase: the ASC4FIRST phase III trial

Asciminib is the first BCR::ABL1 inhibitor that works by Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP). Asciminib has shown favorable efficacy and safety in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase without the T315I mutation who have received ≥2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in phase I and III clinical trials and in patients with the T315I mutation who have received ≥1 prior TKI in phase I. ASC4FIRST (NCT04971226) is a phase III, multicenter, open-label, randomized study of asciminib versus investigator-selected TKI in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase. The primary end point is major molecular response at week 48. Secondary end points include responses at and by scheduled time points, safety, pharmacokinetics and patient-reported outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04971226 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Efficacy and safety of co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib (CTC) in acute moderate-to-severe pain after abdominal hysterectomy: A randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial (STARDOM2)

BACKGROUND

STARDOM2 is a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib (CTC)-a first-in-class analgesic co-crystal comprising racemic tramadol hydrochloride and celecoxib in a supramolecular network that modifies their pharmacokinetic properties-for the management of acute postoperative pain (NCT03062644; EudraCT:2016-000593-38).

METHODS

Patients with moderate-to-severe pain following abdominal hysterectomy were randomized 2:2:2:2:2:1 to oral CTC 100 mg (rac-tramadol hydrochloride 44 mg/celecoxib 56 mg) twice daily (BID); CTC 150 mg (66/84 mg) BID; CTC 200 mg (88/112 mg) BID; immediate-release tramadol 100 mg four times daily (QID); celecoxib 100 mg BID; or placebo, for 5 days. The primary endpoint was the sum of pain intensity differences over 0-4 h (SPID_0-4 ). Key secondary endpoints were rescue medication use within 4 h, 50% response rate at 4 h, and safety/tolerability.

RESULTS

Of 1355 patients enrolled, 1138 were randomized (full analysis set) and 1136 treated (safety analysis set). In the prespecified gatekeeping analysis of SPID_0-4 , CTC 200 mg was not superior to tramadol but showed non-inferior efficacy (p < 0.001) that was sustained throughout the 120-h period, despite a 5-day cumulative tramadol administration of 880 mg with CTC 200 mg BID versus 2000 mg with tramadol 100 mg QID. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and severe TEAEs were less common with CTC 200 mg versus tramadol. Treatment-related TEAEs were 14.4% with CTC 200 mg and 23.6% with tramadol.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the study did not meet its primary endpoint, CTC 200 mg showed a clinically relevant improvement in overall benefit/risk profile versus tramadol alone, with considerably lower cumulative opioid exposure.

SIGNIFICANCE

In the randomized, double-blind, phase 3 STARDOM2 trial-in acute moderate-to-severe pain after abdominal hysterectomy-the novel co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib (CTC) 200 mg BID was superior to placebo and non-inferior to tramadol 100 mg QID. Although superiority to tramadol was not reached, CTC 200 mg BID exposed patients to lower cumulative opioid (tramadol) doses than tramadol (100 mg QID) alone, with fewer treatment-emergent adverse events. CTC 200 mg thus has a clinically relevant improved benefit/risk profile compared with tramadol alone.

A 2-in-1 adaptive design to seamlessly expand a selected dose from a phase 2 trial to a phase 3 trial for oncology drug development

In oncology, dose-finding studies are largely performed only in Phase I clinical trials and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), a dose initially developed for systemic chemotherapies, is by default selected for the Phase 3 confirmatory trial. With the advent of anti-cancer therapies such as molecular targeted agents and immunotherapies, a paradigm shift is underway from the use of conventional MTD approaches to improved dose selection strategies for oncology programs. In response to this new challenge, new study designs are needed to optimize dose selection while still bring life-changing new therapies to patients as soon as possible. In this paper, we propose a 2-in-1 adaptive design starting with a Phase 2 trial with randomized evaluation of multiple doses and only select one dose to expand to a Phase 3 trial if efficacy evidence is observed based on an interim evaluation. The lowest dose will be selected if multiple doses show promising efficacy unless the higher dose demonstrates a more compelling treatment effect, and study will be seamlessly expanded to a Phase 3 trial with the selected dose with patients enrolled in the Phase 2 portion also used for the statistical inference in the Phase 3 portion. The overall Type I error can be controlled under a mild assumption. Simulation studies are conducted to confirm the control of Type I error and to demonstrate the desirable operating characteristics of the proposed design.

The STAGED-PKD 2-Stage Adaptive Study With a Patient Enrichment Strategy and Treatment Effect Modeling for Improved Study Design Efficiency in Patients With ADPKD

Rationale & Objective

Venglustat, a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, inhibits cyst growth and reduces kidney failure in mouse models of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). STAGED-PKD aims to determine the safety and efficacy of venglustat and was designed using patient enrichment for progression to end-stage kidney disease and modeling from prior ADPKD trials.

Study Design

STAGED-PKD is a 2-stage, international, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adults with ADPKD (Mayo Class 1C-1E) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 45-<90 mL/min/1.73 m² at risk of rapidly progressive disease. Enrichment for rapidly progressing patients was identified based on retrospective analysis of total kidney volume (TKV) and eGFR slope from the combined Consortium for Radiologic Imaging Studies of Polycystic Kidney Disease and HALT Progression of Polycystic Kidney Disease A studies.

Setting & Participants

Target enrollment in stages 1 and 2 was 240 and 320 patients, respectively.

Interventions

Stage 1 randomizes patients 1:1:1 to venglustat 8 mg or 15 mg once daily or placebo. Stage 2 randomizes patients 1:1 to placebo or venglustat, with the preferred dose based on stage 1 safety data.

Outcomes

Primary endpoints are TKV growth rate over 18 months in stage 1 and eGFR slope over 24 months in stage 2. Secondary endpoints include: annualized rate of change in eGFR from baseline to 18 months (stage 1); annualized rate of change in TKV based on magnetic resonance imaging from baseline to 18 months (stage 2); and safety, tolerability, pain, and fatigue (stages 1 and 2).

Limitations

If stage 1 is unsuccessful, patients enrolled in the trial may develop drug-related adverse events that can have long-lasting effects.

Conclusions

Modeling allows the design and powering of a 2-stage combined study to assess venglustat’s impact on TKV growth and eGFR slope. Stage 1 TKV assessment via a nested approach allows early evaluation of efficacy and increased efficiency of the trial design by reducing patient numbers and trial duration.

Funding

This study was funded by Sanofi.

Trial registration

STAGED-PKD has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT03523728.

IMI2-PainCare-BioPain-RCT2 protocol: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, multicenter trial in healthy subjects to investigate the effects of lacosamide, pregabalin, and tapentadol on biomarkers of pain processing observed by non-invasive neurophysiological measurements of human spinal cord and brainstem activity

Background

IMI2-PainCare-BioPain-RCT2 is one of four similarly designed clinical studies aiming at profiling a set of functional biomarkers of drug effects on specific compartments of the nociceptive system that could serve to accelerate the future development of analgesics. IMI2-PainCare-BioPain-RCT2 will focus on human spinal cord and brainstem activity using biomarkers derived from non-invasive neurophysiological measurements.

Methods

This is a multisite, single-dose, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 4-period, 4-way crossover, pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) study in healthy subjects. Neurophysiological biomarkers of spinal and brainstem activity (the RIII flexion reflex, the N13 component of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and the R2 component of the blink reflex) will be recorded before and at three distinct time points after administration of three medications known to act on the nociceptive system (lacosamide, pregabalin, tapentadol), and placebo, given as a single oral dose in separate study periods. Medication effects on neurophysiological measures will be assessed in a clinically relevant hyperalgesic condition (high-frequency electrical stimulation of the skin), and in a non-sensitized normal condition. Patient-reported outcome measures (pain ratings and predictive psychological traits) will also be collected; and blood samples will be taken for pharmacokinetic modelling. A sequentially rejective multiple testing approach will be used with overall alpha error of the primary analysis split between the two primary endpoints, namely the percentage amplitude changes of the RIII area and N13 amplitude under tapentadol. Remaining treatment arm effects on RIII, N13 and R2 recovery cycle are key secondary confirmatory analyses. Complex statistical analyses and PK-PD modelling are exploratory.

Discussion

The RIII component of the flexion reflex is a pure nociceptive spinal reflex widely used for investigating pain processing at the spinal level. It is sensitive to different experimental pain models and to the antinociceptive activity of drugs. The N13 is mediated by large myelinated non-nociceptive fibers and reflects segmental postsynaptic response of wide dynamic range dorsal horn neurons at the level of cervical spinal cord, and it could be therefore sensitive to the action of drugs specifically targeting the dorsal horn. The R2 reflex is mediated by large myelinated non-nociceptive fibers, its circuit consists of a polysynaptic chain lying in the reticular formation of the pons and medulla. The recovery cycle of R2 is widely used for assessing brainstem excitability. For these reasons, IMI2-PainCare-BioPain-RCT2 hypothesizes that spinal and brainstem neurophysiological measures can serve as biomarkers of target engagement of analgesic drugs for future Phase 1 clinical trials. Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials could also benefit from these tools for patient stratification.

Trial registration

This trial was registered on 02 February 2019 in EudraCT (2019-000755-14).

Single-stage, three-arm, adaptive test strategies for non-inferiority trials with an unstable reference

For indications where only unstable reference treatments are available and use of placebo is ethically justified, three-arm "gold standard" designs with an experimental, reference and placebo arm are recommended for non-inferiority trials. In such designs, the demonstration of efficacy of the reference or experimental treatment is a requirement. They have the disadvantage that only little can be concluded from the trial if the reference fails to be efficacious. To overcome this, we investigate novel single-stage, adaptive test strategies where non-inferiority is tested only if the reference shows sufficient efficacy and otherwise δ $$ \delta $$ -superiority of the experimental treatment over placebo is tested. With a properly chosen superiority margin, δ $$ \delta $$ -superiority indirectly shows non-inferiority. We optimize the sample size for several decision rules and find that the natural, data driven test strategy, which tests non-inferiority if the reference's efficacy test is significant, leads to the smallest overall and placebo sample sizes. We proof that under specific constraints on the sample sizes, this procedure controls the family-wise error rate. All optimal sample sizes are found to meet this constraint. We finally show how to account for a relevant placebo drop-out rate in an efficient way and apply the new test strategy to a real life data set.

A Composite Endpoint for Treatment Benefit According to Patient Preference

Complex disorders usually affect multiple symptom domains measured by several outcomes. The importance of these outcomes is often different among patients. Current approaches integrate multiple outcomes without considering patient preferences at the individual level. In this paper, we propose a new composite Desirability of Outcome Ranking (DOOR) that integrates individual level ranking of outcome importance and define a winning probability measuring the overall treatment effect. Stratified randomization can be performed based on the participants' baseline outcome rankings. A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-statistic is used to average the pairwise DOOR between one treated and one control patient, considering the difference in these patients' ranking of outcome importance. We use both theoretical and empirical methods to examine the statistical properties of our method and to compare with conventional approaches. We conclude that the proposed composite DOOR properly reflects patient-level preferences and can be used in pivotal trials or comparative effectiveness trials for a patient-centered evaluation of overall treatment benefits.

Family-wise type I error rate control for an extended 2-in-1 design with graphical approach in oncology drug development

Nowadays, in oncology drug development, when an experimental treatment shows a promising anti-tumor effect in Phase I efficacy expansion, a Phase III pivotal trial may be launched directly. To mitigate the risk of skipping the traditional randomized Phase II proof of concept (POC) study, the 2-in-1 design was proposed by Chen et al. (2018). This design has gained great research and application interest since its publication and been extended in many ways. The original 2-in-1 design controls family-wise type I error rate (FWER) for one hypothesis in Phase II part and one hypothesis in Phase III part. However, in practice, for a stand-alone Phase III study usually there are multiple hypotheses with group sequential interim analyses and the multiplicity is controlled by the graphical approach. It is desirable that these features of the Phase III design are retained when 2-in-1 design is considered. The multiplicity control for a 2-in-1 design with multiple hypotheses in Phase III has been addressed mainly by the Bonferroni approach in the literature. For the more powerful graphical approach, while Jin and Zhang (2021) discussed the FWER control for a special 2-in-1 design, in which Phase II and Phase III have exactly the same hypotheses, the FWER control for a more common 2-in-1 design (i.e., one hypothesis in Phase II and multiple hypotheses in Phase III) is yet investigated. This paper provides the analytical conditions under which FWER is controlled with the graphical approach in such a 2-in-1 design. It also provides the numeric explorations of FWER control for such design with group sequential interim analyses in Phase III, as a direct Phase III design normally would have. As a result, our work helps lower the hurdle of the application of the 2-in-1 design and pave the way for its wider application.

Rationale for the update algorithm of the graphical approach to sequentially rejective multiple test procedures

The graphical approach by Bretz et al. is a convenient tool to construct, visualize and perform multiple test procedures that are tailored to structured families of hypotheses while controlling the familywise error rate. A critical step is to update the transition weights following a pre-specified algorithm. In their original publication, however, the authors did not provide a detailed rationale for the update formula. This paper closes the gap and provides three alternative arguments for the update of the transition weights of the graphical approach. It is a legacy of the first author, based on an unpublished technical report from 2014, and after his untimely death reconstructed by the other two authors as a tribute to Willi Maurer's collaboration with Andy Grieve and contributions to biostatistics over many years.

Confirmatory efficacy testing for individual dose-placebo comparisons using serial gatekeeping procedure in dose-finding trials with multiple comparison procedures-modeling

Dose-finding trials play a key role in the entire drug development process to determine optimal doses for regulatory approval. We address confirmatory efficacy testing for individual dose-placebo comparisons in the context of a dose-finding trial designed with multiple comparison procedures-modeling (MCP-Mod). An extension of the MCP-Mod, called closed MCP-Mod, has been proposed to carry out the MCP-Mod in conjunction with pairwise dose-placebo comparisons; however, an issue associated with the misspecification of candidate dose-response models remains. We consider another way to combine the MCP-Mod and the individual dose-placebo comparisons using serial gatekeeping procedures with fixed sequence, Holm, Hochberg, and step-down Dunnett procedure. The method controls the family-wise error rate in the strong sense and is simple enough to be implemented by existing software. Simulation studies suggested that the serial gatekeeping procedure was comparable with the closed MCP-Mod in terms of statistical power to detect the efficacy of at least one dose, and both methods were capable of pursuing the efficacy claim rather than just establishing the dose-response signal with less than a 20% increase in sample size when assuming monotonic dose-response shapes. The serial gatekeeping procedure would have advantages in the simplicity of implementation and ease of interpretation. The dose-finding trials aiming to declare the dose-response signal, as well as the efficacy of individual doses, would be worth considering as an option to accelerate the drug development program in certain situations.