A Study of the Efficacy of Intravenous Esketamine in Adult Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression

A Double-Blind, Double-Randomization, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Intravenous Esketamine in Adult Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of esketamine compared with placebo in improving symptoms of depression in patients with treatment resistant depression.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Esketamine; Drug: Esketamine; Drug: Placebo

Detailed Description

This is a double-blind (neither physician nor patient knows the treatment that the patient receives), double-randomization (the study drug is assigned by chance), placebo-controlled (placebo is an inactive substance that is compared with a drug to test whether the drug has a real effect in a clinical trial), multiple dose titration study in adult patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). The study will assess the efficacy of esketamine at 24 hours after dosing on Day 1, administered as a 0.40 mg/kg and 0.20 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) infusion, compared with placebo in improving symptoms of depression in patients with TRD, using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The study will consist of 3 phases: a screening phase of up to 2 weeks, a 7-day double-blind treatment phase (Day 1 to Day 7), and a 4-week posttreatment (follow up) phase. The interval between the first and last dose of study medication is 3 days. The total study duration for each patient will be a maximum of 7 weeks.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Dave, Belgium
  • Gent, Belgium
  • Kortenberg, Belgium
  • Lede, Belgium
• Germany
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Freiburg, Germany
  • Mainz, Germany
  • Munchen, Germany
• Poland
  • Gdansk, Poland

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 64 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be medically stable on the basis of clinical laboratory tests
• Diagnostic for major depressive disorder (MDD) without psychotic features
• Have an inadequate response to at least 1 antidepressant in the current episode of depression and at least one other inadequate treatment response to an antidepressant either in the current episode or in a previous episode
• Women must be not pregnant; women must be postmenopausal, surgically sterile or, if heterosexually active, practicing a highly effective method of birth control during the study and for 3 months after receiving the last dose of study drug
• Men must agree to use a double barrier method of birth control and to not donate sperm during the study and for 3 months after receiving the last dose of study drug
• Signed informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of, or current signs and symptoms of diseases or conditions that would make participation not be in the best interest (eg, compromise the well-being) of the patient or that could prevent, limit, or confound the protocol-specified assessments
• Has uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP)> 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP)> 90 mmHg despite diet, exercise or a stable dose of an allowed anti-hypertensive treatment) or any past history of hypertensive crisis
• Has known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infection, or have positive results at screening
• Has a primary diagnosis of current (active) generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa
• Has a history or current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, mental retardation, or borderline personality disorders, mood disorder with postpartum onset, somatoform disorders or chronic fatigue syndrome
• Has had major surgery, (eg, requiring general or local anesthesia) within 4 weeks before screening, or will not have fully recovered from surgery, or planned surgery during the time the subject is expected to participate in the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo	Drug: Placebo; Form= intravenous infusion, route= intravenous use. One single placebo intravenous infusion administered on Day 1 and Day 4.
Experimental: Esketamine (Group 1)	Drug: Esketamine; Type= exact number, number= 0.20, unit= mg/kg, form= intravenous infusion, route= intravenous use. One single intravenous infusion of esketamine 0.20 mg/kg administered on Day 1 and Day 4.; Drug: Esketamine; Type= exact number, number= 0.40, unit= mg/kg, form= intravenous infusion, route= intravenous use. One single intravenous infusion of esketamine 0.40 mg/kg administered on Day 1 and Day 4.
Experimental: Esketamine (Group 2)	Drug: Esketamine; Type= exact number, number= 0.20, unit= mg/kg, form= intravenous infusion, route= intravenous use. One single intravenous infusion of esketamine 0.20 mg/kg administered on Day 1 and Day 4.; Drug: Esketamine; Type= exact number, number= 0.40, unit= mg/kg, form= intravenous infusion, route= intravenous use. One single intravenous infusion of esketamine 0.40 mg/kg administered on Day 1 and Day 4.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 2 in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score in the double-blind treatment phase	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 2

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 4 in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score in the double-blind treatment phase	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 4
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 35 in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score during the posttreatment phase	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 35
The number of patients who have a reduction in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score of >50% versus baseline on Day 2	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 2
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 4 in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report- 14-Item (QIDS-SR14)	The QIDS-SR14, s a version of the QIDS-SR16 with a shorter, 24-hour recall period that has been developed for this trial. The total score ranges from 0 to 27. Using a scale of severity of depression of none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe, corresponding QIDS-SR16 total scores are none 1-5, mild 6-10, moderate 11-15, severe 16-20 and very severe 21-27.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 4
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 14 in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report-16-item (QIDS-SR16)	The QIDS-SR16 is a patient reported measure designed to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 27. Using a scale of severity of depression of none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe, corresponding QIDS-SR16 total scores are none 1-5, mild 6-10, moderate 11-15, severe 16-20 and very severe 21-27.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 14
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 7 in severity of illness using the Clinical Global Impression- Severity (CGI-S) for esketamine compared to placebo	The CGI-S is a physician-rated scale that is designed to rate the severity of the patient's illness at the time of assessment, relative to the clinician's past experience with patients who have the same diagnosis and improvement with treatment. Considering total clinical experience, a patient is assessed on severity of mental illness at the time of rating according to: 0= not assessed; 1=normal (not at all ill); 2=borderline mentally ill; 3=mildly ill; 4=moderately ill; 5=markedly ill; 6=severely ill; 7=among the most extremely ill patients.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 7
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 7 of global change in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) since start of study treatment, as measured by the Clinical Global Impression- Improvement (CGI-I)	The CGI-I is a 7-point scale that requires the clinician to assess how much the patient's illness has improved or worsened relative to a baseline state at the beginning of the intervention and rated as: 0= not assessed; 1=very much improved; 2=much improved; 3=minimally improved; 4=no change; 5=minimally worse; 6=much worse; 7=very much worse.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 7
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 7 in severity of illness using the Patient Global Impression - Severity (PGI-S) for esketamine compared to placebo	The PGI-S is a 4-point scale that requires the patient to rate the severity of their illness at the time of assessment, relative to the patient's past experience. Considering their total experience, the patient assesses the severity of their depression illness at the time of rating as none, mild, moderate or severe.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 7
Change from Day 1 (baseline) to Day 7 in patient perspective of global change in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) since start of study treatment, as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C)	The PGI-C is a 7-point scale that requires the patient to assess how much their illness has improved or worsened relative to a baseline state at the beginning of the intervention. The response options are: very much improved; much improved; improved (just enough to make a difference); no change; worse (just enough to make a difference); much worse; or very much worse.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 7
Change from Day 4 to Day 7 in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score in the double-blind treatment phase	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 4, Day 7
The number of patients who have a reduction in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score of >50% versus baseline on Day 3	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 3
The number of patients who have a reduction in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score of >50% versus baseline on Day 4	The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The test consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.	Day 1 (baseline), Day 4
Change from Day 4 to Day 7 in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report- 14-Item (QIDS-SR14)	The QIDS-SR14, s a version of the QIDS-SR16 with a shorter, 24-hour recall period that has been developed for this trial. The total score ranges from 0 to 27. Using a scale of severity of depression of none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe, corresponding QIDS-SR16 total scores are none 1-5, mild 6-10, moderate 11-15, severe 16-20 and very severe 21-27.	Day 4, Day 7

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Janssen Research & Development, LLC
• Investigators: Study Director: Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial, Janssen Research & Development, LLC

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Lewis S, Romano C, De Bruecker G, Murrough JW, Shelton R, Singh JB, Jamieson C. Analysis of Clinical Trial Exit Interview Data in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression. Patient. 2019 Oct;12(5):527-537. doi: 10.1007/s40271-019-00369-8.
• Johnson KM, Devine JM, Ho KF, Howard KA, Saretsky TL, Jamieson CA. Evidence to Support Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale Administration Every 24 Hours to Assess Rapid Onset of Treatment Response. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016 Dec;77(12):1681-1686. doi: 10.4088/JCP.15m10253.
• Singh JB, Fedgchin M, Daly E, Xi L, Melman C, De Bruecker G, Tadic A, Sienaert P, Wiegand F, Manji H, Drevets WC, Van Nueten L. Intravenous Esketamine in Adult Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Double-Blind, Double-Randomization, Placebo-Controlled Study. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Sep 15;80(6):424-431. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.10.018. Epub 2015 Nov 3.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 27, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 3, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): June 3, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 11, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 11, 2012
• First Posted (Estimated): July 13, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 25, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Esketamine; Treatment resistant depression; Major depressive disorder
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Mood Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant; Psychotropic Drugs; Antidepressive Agents; Esketamine
• Other Study ID Numbers: CR100843; ESKETIVTRD2001 (Other Identifier: Janssen Research & Development, LLC); 2011-005992-17 (EudraCT Number)