An Efficacy and Safety Trial of Verubecestat (MK-8931) in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease (P07738) (EPOCH)

Study Description

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Brief Summary:

This study consists of two parts, Part I and Part II. The purpose of Part I of the study is to assess the efficacy and safety of verubecestat (MK-8931) compared with placebo administered for 78 weeks in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The primary study hypotheses for Part I are that at least one verubecestat dose is superior to placebo at 78 weeks of treatment with respect to change from baseline in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) score and that at least one verubecestat dose is superior to placebo at 78 weeks of treatment with respect to change from baseline in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL) score. The first approximately 400 participants entering Part I of the study are identified as the Safety Cohort. Participants who complete Part I of the study may choose to participate in Part II, which is a long term double-blind extension to assess efficacy and safety of verubecestat administered for up to an additional 260 weeks.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Alzheimer's Disease	Drug: Verubecestat (Part I and Part II); Drug: Placebo (Part I); Drug: Verubecestat (Part II)	Phase 2; Phase 3

Detailed Description:

Two substudies are included in Part I of the study: 1) a medical imaging substudy to evaluate changes in brain amyloid protein load using positron emission tomography (PET) and an amyloid tracer ([18F]flutemetamol); and 2) a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker substudy to evaluate changes in CSF concentrations of amyloid-β related peptides, total tau, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau). The substudies will be conducted only at designated investigational sites. Participants are not required to take part in a substudy in order to take part in the larger trial.

Study Design

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Study Type :	Interventional (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment :	2211 participants
Allocation:	Randomized
Intervention Model:	Parallel Assignment
Masking:	Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary Purpose:	Treatment
Official Title:	A Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Parallel-Group, Double Blind Efficacy and Safety Trial of MK-8931 With a Long Term Double-Blind Extension in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease (Protocol No. MK-8931-017-10)(Also Known as SCH 900931, P07738)
Actual Study Start Date :	November 30, 2012
Actual Primary Completion Date :	April 14, 2017
Actual Study Completion Date :	April 14, 2017

Arms and Interventions

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Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Arm A. Verubecestat 12 mg [Part I]; 12 mg [Part II]; [Part I] Verubecestat 12 mg once daily for 78 weeks in Study Part I (Base Study). [Part II] Participants completing Study Part I and continuing to Study Part II (Extension Study) receive Verubecestat 12 mg once daily for an additional 260 weeks.	Drug: Verubecestat (Part I and Part II); Single 12 mg verubecestat tablet once daily, taken orally; Other Name: SCH 900931
Experimental: Arm B. Verubecestat 40 mg [Part I]; 40 mg [Part II]; [Part I] Verubecestat 40 mg once daily for 78 weeks in Study Part I (Base Study). [Part II] Participants completing Study Part I and continuing to Study Part II (Extension Study) receive Verubecestat 40 mg once daily for an additional 260 weeks.	Drug: Verubecestat (Part I and Part II); Single 40 mg verubecestat tablet once daily, taken orally; Other Name: SCH 900931
Experimental: Arm C. Verubecestat 60mg/40mg [Part I]; 40 mg [Part II]; [Part I] Verubecestat 60 mg once daily until the first IA in Study Part I (Base Study). Following IA, participants in this group were switched to Verubecestat 40 mg once daily, for the remainder of Study Part I (total dosing period: 78 weeks). [Part II] Participants completing Study Part I and continuing to Study Part II (Extension Study) receive Verubecestat 40 mg once daily for an additional 260 weeks.	Drug: Verubecestat (Part I and Part II); Single 60 or 40 mg verubecestat tablet once daily, taken orally; Other Name: SCH 900931
Placebo Comparator: Arm D. Placebo [Part I]; Verubecestat 40 mg [Part II]; [Part I] Placebo once daily for 78 weeks in Study Part I (Base Study). [Part II] Participants completing Study Part I and continuing to Study Part II (Extension Study) receive Verubecestat 40 mg once daily for an additional 260 weeks.	Drug: Placebo (Part I); Single placebo tablet matching verubecestat treatment once daily, taken orally; Drug: Verubecestat (Part II); Single 40 mg verubecestat tablet once daily, taken orally; Other Name: SCH 900931

Outcome Measures

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Primary Outcome Measures :

1. [Part I (Base Study)] Change From Baseline in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean change from baseline at week 78 was assessed for the ADAS-Cog score. ADAS-Cog measures cognition by assessing 11 metrics impaired in Alzheimer's Disease (AD): speech; speech comprehension; word finding; word recall; object/finger naming; orientation; obeying commands; ideational praxis; constructional praxis; word recognition; and remembering instruction. For each metric, scores range from 0 (no impairment) to (depending on the metric) either 5 (8 metrics), 8, 10, or 12 (1 metric each); higher scores indicate more severe impairment. Individual scores sum to a total ADAS-Cog score, ranging from 0-70. Higher total scores indicate greater cognitive impairment and AD severity. Further, increases in AD severity over time would be reflected by increases in ADAS-Cog score.
2. [Part I (Base Study)] Change From Baseline in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean change from baseline at week 78 was assessed for the ADCS-ADL score. The ADCS-ADL score measures the performance of activities of daily living, calculated from a 24-question survey. For each of the 24 questions, scores range from 0 (no independence) to (depending on the question) either 2 (1 question), 3 (17 questions), 4 (5 questions), or 5 (1 question), with higher scores indicating greater independence in activity performance. Scores from individual questions are summed into a total ADCS-ADL score, with total scores ranging from 0 to 78. Lower scores indicate less independence in activity performance and, as a result, greater AD severity. Further, increases in AD severity over time would be reflected by decreases in ADCS-ADL score.
3. [Part II (Extension Study)] Change From Baseline in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 104 ]
   Mean change from baseline at week 104 was assessed for the ADAS-Cog score. ADAS-Cog measures cognition by assessing 11 metrics impaired in Alzheimer's Disease (AD): speech; speech comprehension; word finding; word recall; object/finger naming; orientation; obeying commands; ideational praxis; constructional praxis; word recognition; and remembering instruction. For each metric, scores range from 0 (no impairment) to (depending on the metric) either 5 (8 metrics), 8, 10, or 12 (1 metric each); higher scores indicate more severe impairment. Individual scores sum to a total ADAS-Cog score, ranging from 0-70. Higher total scores indicate greater cognitive impairment and AD severity. Further, increases in AD severity over time would be reflected by increases in ADAS-Cog score. Per study protocol, the baseline measurement to be used was the baseline measurement obtained in Part I.
4. [Part II (Extension Study)] Change From Baseline in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 104 ]
   Mean change from baseline at week 104 was assessed for the ADCS-ADL score. The ADCS-ADL score measures the performance of activities of daily living, calculated from a 24-question survey. For each of the 24 questions, scores range from 0 (no independence) to (depending on the question) either 2 (1 question), 3 (17 questions), 4 (5 questions), or 5 (1 question), with higher scores indicating greater independence in activity performance. Scores from individual questions are summed into a total ADCS-ADL score, with total scores ranging from 0 to 78. Lower scores indicate less independence in activity performance and, as a result, greater AD severity. Further, increases in AD severity over time would be reflected by decreases in ADCS-ADL score. Per study protocol, the baseline measurement to be used was the baseline measurement obtained in Part I.
5. [Part I (Base Study)] Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event [ Time Frame: Up to week 80 (up to 2 weeks following cessation of study treatment in Part I) ]
   The number of participants experiencing an adverse event (AE) in Part I was assessed. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to this medicinal product. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product is also an AE.
6. [Part II (Extension Study)] Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event [ Time Frame: From week 78 (end of treatment in Part I) up to week 262 of Part II ]
   The number of participants experiencing an adverse event (AE) in Part II was assessed. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to this medicinal product. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product is also an AE.
7. [Part I (Base Study)] Number of Participants Who Discontinued From Study Drug Due to an Adverse Event [ Time Frame: Up to week 78 ]
   The number of participants discontinuing from study drug due to an AE in Part I was assessed. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to this medicinal product. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product is also an AE.
8. [Part II (Extension Study)] Number of Participants Who Discontinued From Study Drug Due to an Adverse Event [ Time Frame: From week 78 (end of treatment in Part I) up to week 260 of Part II ]
   The number of participants discontinuing from study drug due to an AE in Part II was assessed. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to this medicinal product. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product is also an AE.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. [Part I (Base Study)] Change From Baseline in Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean change from baseline at week 78 was assessed for CDR-SB score. The CDR-SB score is a clinical rating of global cognitive function, comprised of 6 domains including: memory; orientation; judgment and problem solving; community affairs; home and hobbies; and personal care. For each domain, the degree of impairment is assessed by a semi-structured interview of the participant as well as the participant's caregiver. For each domain, potential scores range from 0 (no impairment) to 3 (severe impairment). Scores from each individual domain are summed to the total CDR-SB score, with total scores ranging from 0-18. Higher scores indicate more severe cognitive impairment. Further, increases in cognitive impairment would be reflected by increases in CDR-SB score.
2. [Part I (Base Study)] Percent Change From Baseline in Total Hippocampal Volume (THV) [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean percent change from baseline at week 78 was calculated for Total Hippocampal Volume (THV) as measured by volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (vMRI). Longitudinal analysis of within-participant THV is computed using a change analysis algorithm using tensor-based morphometry. This technique produces one measure of volume change calculated from the registration of serial vMRI scans at the follow-up time point relative to baseline. Negative percent changes from baseline indicate decreases in THV (i.e. increased hippocampal atrophy).
3. [Part I (Base Study)] Fold Change From Baseline in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Total Tau [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean fold change from baseline at week 78 was calculated for Total Tau concentration in CSF, a measure of brain tau pathology. Per protocol, CSF Total Tau concentration was analyzed as part of a substudy in Part I, with testing occurring only at select trial sites. Least squares mean fold change from baseline >1 indicates increased Total Tau concentration in the CSF.
4. [Part I (Base Study)] Change From Baseline in Cortical Amyloid Load Assessed by [18F]Flutemetamol PET Standard Uptake Value Ratio (SUVR) [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean change from baseline at week 78 was calculated for SUVR, a measure of brain cortical amyloid load. Per protocol, SUVR was analyzed as part of a substudy in Part I, with testing occurring only at select trial sites. Participants receive the PET tracer [18F]Flutemetamol (IV). After 90 minutes, participants receive 4 PET scans (5 minutes each in duration). Using these PET scan images, specific brain ROIs (frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes; anterior and posterior cingulate and precuneus) are used to calculate regional SUVRs, defined as the relative ratio of pixel intensities at a specific ROI compared to a reference region (RR; subcortical white matter). These regional SUVRs are then averaged to compute a composite cortical SUVR for each participant. Higher composite cortical SUVR values indicate increased amyloid load, with negative changes in composite cortical SUVR over time indicating decreases in brain amyloid load.
5. [Part I (Base Study)] Percentage of Participants Achieving Responder Status [ Time Frame: Week 78 ]
   The percentage of participants achieving responder status at week 78 was assessed. To determine which participants were considered responders, a linear regression was conducted at the participant level, yielding an estimated 78-week rate of change (i.e., a slope) for each participant with respect to ADAS-Cog and ADCS-ADL. To be declared a responder, a participant must have: 1) ADAS-Cog and ADCS-ADL observations at baseline and 78 weeks of treatment; 2) an ADAS-Cog slope > 4.0 over 78 weeks, and 3) an ADCS-ADL slope > -6.3 over 78 weeks. A participant failing to meet any of these criteria was designated as a non-responder at Week 78.
6. [Part I (Base Study)] Change From Baseline in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean change from baseline at week 78 was assessed for NPI score. NPI is a clinical assessment of psychiatric status, covering 12 domains: delusion; hallucination; agitation/aggression; depression/dysphoria; anxiety; elation/euphoria; apathy/indifference; disinhibition; irritability/lability; aberrant motor behavior; sleep/nighttime behaviors; and appetite/eating disorders. Based on an interview of the participant's caregiver, each domain is assessed for symptom frequency [range: 1 (occasional) to 4 (very frequent)] and severity [range: 1 (mild) to 3 (severe)]. Domain scores [range: 0 to 12] are calculated as the product of the frequency and severity scores (i.e. frequency x severity); if no symptoms are present, domain score is 0. The 12 domain scores sum to a total NPI score [range: 0 (no symptoms in any domain) to 144]. Higher scores reflect more severe psychiatric impairment, with increases in impairment reflected by increases in NPI score.
7. [Part I (Base Study)] Change From Baseline in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and week 78 ]
   Least squares mean change from baseline at week 78 was assessed for MMSE score. The MMSE is a cognitive assessment of 5 domains including: orientation; attention; memory; language; and constructional praxis. These domains are assessed over the course of 11 total questions related to the participant. Participants are scored based on the number of correct responses; depending on the question, potential scores range from 0 (no correct response) to either 1 (4 questions), 2 (1 question), 3 (3 questions), or 5 (3 questions). Scores from each question are summed to the total MMSE score, with total scores ranging from 0-30. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance. Further, deterioration in cognitive performance would be reflected by decreases in MMSE score.

Eligibility Criteria

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Ages Eligible for Study:	55 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:	All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of probable AD based on both a) the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria and b) the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for AD
• AD is of mild to moderate severity
• Clear history of cognitive and functional decline over at least one year that is either a) documented in medical records or b) documented by history from an informant who knows the subject well
• Able to read at a 6th grade level or equivalent, and must have a history of academic achievement and/or employment sufficient to exclude mental retardation
• If a participant is receiving an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, memantine, medical food/supplement (e.g., vitamin E) and/or herbal medications for AD, the dose must have been stable for at least three months before Screening, and the participant must be willing to remain on the same dose for the duration of the trial. Participants may need to be on AD treatments in accordance with local requirements
• Participant must have a reliable and competent trial partner/caregiver who must have a close relationship with the subject

Inclusion Criteria for Extension Period (Part II):

• Tolerated study drug and completed the initial 78-week period of the trial (Part I)
• Participant must have a reliable and competent trial partner who must have a close relationship with the subject

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of stroke
• Evidence of a neurological disorder other than the disease being studied (i.e., probable AD)
• History of seizures or epilepsy within the last 5 years before Screening
• Evidence of a clinically relevant or unstable psychiatric disorder, excluding major depression in remission
• Participant is at imminent risk of self-harm or of harm to others
• History of alcoholism or drug dependency/abuse within the last 5 years before Screening
• Participant does not have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan obtained within 12 months of Screening and is unwilling or not eligible to undergo an MRI scan at the Screening Visit. With Sponsor approval, a head computed tomography (CT) scan may be substituted for MRI scan to evaluate eligibility
• History of hepatitis or liver disease that has been active within the six months prior to Screening Visit
• Recent or ongoing, uncontrolled, clinically significant medical condition within 3 months of the Screening Visit (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, thyroid or endocrine disease, congestive heart failure, angina, cardiac or gastrointestinal disease, dialysis, or abnormal renal function) other than the condition being studied such that participation in the trial would pose a significant medical risk to the subject. Controlled co-morbid conditions are not exclusionary if stable within three months of the Screening Visit
• History or current evidence of long QT syndrome, corrected QT (QTc) interval ≥470 milliseconds (for male subjects) or ≥480 milliseconds (for female subjects), or torsades de pointes
• History of malignancy occurring within the five years before Screening, except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or localized prostate carcinoma; or malignancy which has been treated with potentially curative therapy with no evidence of recurrence for ≥3 year post-therapy
• Clinically significant vitamin B12 or folate deficiency in the six months before Screening Visit
• Use of any investigational drugs within 30 days (or longer depending on drug) before Screening or participation in studies involving repeated cognitive testing within 30 days before Screening. Participation in an observational study, such as those involving annual cognitive assessments and/or neuroimaging, may be allowed if approved by Sponsor
• History of a hypersensitivity reaction to more than three drugs
• Has tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Close family member (including the caregiver, the spouse or any children) who is among the personnel of the investigational or sponsor staff directly involved with this trial

Additional Exclusion Criteria for Safety Cohort:

• History of an ongoing medical condition that has been poorly controlled within 6 months of the Screening Visit (e.g., hypotension, diabetes, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, thyroid disease, endocrine disturbance, congestive heart failure, cardiac or gastrointestinal disease, dialysis, or abnormal renal function) other than the condition being studied such that a subject's participation in the trial would pose a significant medical risk
• History of congestive heart failure (moderate or greater severity), myocardial infarction, heart surgery, syncope, bradycardia, or clinically significant hypotension within one year before Screening

Exclusion Criteria for Extension Period (Part II):

• Participant is at imminent risk of self-harm or of harm to others
• Has developed a recent or ongoing, uncontrolled, clinically significant medical condition other than AD
• Has history of or has developed during Part I evidence of long QT syndrome, QTc interval ≥470 milliseconds (for male subjects) or ≥480 milliseconds (for female subjects), or torsades de pointes
• Has developed a form of dementia that is not AD

Contacts and Locations

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Sponsors and Collaborators

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Investigators

Study Director:	Medical Director	Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

  Study Documents (Full-Text)

Documents provided by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.:

Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan  [PDF] August 1, 2016

More Information

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Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

Egan MF, Kost J, Tariot PN, Aisen PS, Cummings JL, Vellas B, Sur C, Mukai Y, Voss T, Furtek C, Mahoney E, Harper Mozley L, Vandenberghe R, Mo Y, Michelson D. Randomized Trial of Verubecestat for Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease. N Engl J Med. 2018 May 3;378(18):1691-1703. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1706441.

Kennedy ME, Stamford AW, Chen X, Cox K, Cumming JN, Dockendorf MF, Egan M, Ereshefsky L, Hodgson RA, Hyde LA, Jhee S, Kleijn HJ, Kuvelkar R, Li W, Mattson BA, Mei H, Palcza J, Scott JD, Tanen M, Troyer MD, Tseng JL, Stone JA, Parker EM, Forman MS. The BACE1 inhibitor verubecestat (MK-8931) reduces CNS β-amyloid in animal models and in Alzheimer's disease patients. Sci Transl Med. 2016 Nov 2;8(363):363ra150.

Responsible Party:	Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT01739348 History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers:	P07738; MK-8931-017 ( Other Identifier: Merck Protocol Number ); 2011-003151-20 ( EudraCT Number ); 132229 ( Registry Identifier: JAPIC-CTI )
First Posted:	December 3, 2012
Results First Posted:	May 16, 2018
Last Update Posted:	May 16, 2018
Last Verified:	April 2018

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Alzheimer Disease; Dementia; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases	Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders