Early onset of bipolar disorder is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity (e.g., anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD), high rates of recurrence, and marked impairment in functioning and quality of life. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone in bipolar depression in youth and young adult patients (10–30 years old).

Data from two 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of lurasidone monotherapy for bipolar I depression were pooled for this analysis. In the 1st study, patients 10–17 years old were evaluated using the Children’s Depression Rating Scale–Revised (CDRS-R) and the Clinical Global Impression-Bipolar Severity (CGI-BP-S) depression scale; in the 2nd study, a subgroup of adult patients (18–30 years old) were evaluated by CGI-BP-A, and the MADRS, with the latter being converted to a CDRS-R scores using a validated conversion algorithm.

The safety population consisted of 465 patients (mean age, 17.1 years; mean age of onset, 14.1; mean CDRS-R total score, 60.8). 400 patients (85.7%) completed the study. For lurasidone vs. placebo, LS mean Week 6 change was -21.4 vs. -15.3 for the CDRS-R total score (P<0.0001; ES, 0.46); and -1.6 vs. -1.1 for the CGI-BP-S score (P<0.0001; ES, 0.50). Adverse events (≥5%) on lurasidone vs. placebo were nausea (15.9% vs. 5.2%), headache (15.1% vs. 13.1%), somnolence (7.9% vs. 3.8%), vomiting (5.2% vs. 3.3%), and weight increase (5.2% vs. 2.3%). No clinically meaningful changes were observed in weight, metabolic parameters, or prolactin.

In this post-hoc analysis of two placebo-controlled trials, lurasidone demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement of depressive symptoms in youth and young adults with bipolar depression. Lurasidone was generally safe, well-tolerated, and associated with minimal effects on weight, metabolic parameters, and prolactin.

Servier Laboratories (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Earlier onset of schizophrenia, which occurs more commonly in males, is characterized by greater illness severity, chronicity, and functional impairment with a less favorable prognosis than later-onset schizophrenia. The aim of this pooled analysis was to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents (13–17 years) and young adults (18–25 years).

The 2 pooled studies used similar designs and outcome measures. Patients (13–25 years) with schizophrenia completed an initial double-blind 6-week trial of lurasidone (40 and 80 mg/d), and (80 and 160 mg/d) in the young adult trial. In the open-label long-term trials, adolescent patients were treated with 20-80 mg/d of lurasidone, and adults were treated with 40–160 mg/d of lurasidone. Efficacy was evaluated based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S).

The safety population consisted of 306 patients (mean age, 16.2 years; 208 patients (68.0%) who completed 12 months of treatment; 8.2% discontinued by 12 months due to an adverse event. Mean (SD) change in the PANSS total score from extension Baseline to Months 6 and 12 was -11.8 (13.9) and -15.3 (15.0), respectively (OC); and mean (SD) change in the CGI-S score was -0.8 (1.0) and -1.0 (1.1), respectively (OC). The most frequent adverse events were headache (17.6%), anxiety (11.4%), schizophrenia (9.8%), and nausea (9.8). No clinically meaningful changes were observed in weight, metabolic parameters, or prolactin.

In adolescents and young adults with schizophrenia, treatment with lurasidone was generally well-tolerated and effective. Long-term treatment was associated with continued reduction in symptoms of schizophrenia. Long-term treatment was associated with minimal effects on weight, metabolic parameters, and prolactin.

Angelini Pharma S.p.A. and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The elevated prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with depression has been associated with increased mortality. This post hoc analysis assessed the effect of treatment with lurasidone on risk of MetS in patients with bipolar depression.

Data used in the current analyses consisted of 3 double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled, 6-week studies in adults with bipolar I depression (N = 1192), consisting of 1 monotherapy, and 2 adjunctive trials (lithium or valproate). Also analyzed was a 6-month open-label (OL) extension study (monotherapy, N = 316; adjunctive therapy, N = 497); and a 5-month, OL, stabilization phase followed by randomization to a 28-week DB, placebo-controlled, adjunctive therapy study with lurasidone (N = 490). MetS was defined based on NCEP ATP III criteria (2005 revision).

The proportion of patients with new-onset MetS was similar for lurasidone vs placebo in the short-term studies (monotherapy, 13.9% vs 15.3%; adjunctive therapy, 13.6% vs 11.0%); and remained stable during both the 6-month extension phase study (monotherapy, 15.2%; adjunctive therapy, 16.9%), and the 5-month stabilization study (adjunctive therapy, 12.2%). After 28 weeks of DB treatment (following 5-month treatment in the stabilization study), new onset MetS was observed at endpoint (OC) in 26.2% of the lurasidone group, and 30.8% of the placebo group.

This post hoc analysis found that both short and long-term treatment with lurasidone was associated with a relatively low risk for the development of MetS in patients with bipolar I disorder. These findings are consistent with similar analyses in patients with schizophrenia.

To assess the effects of treatment with lurasidone on risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with schizophrenia.

Rates of metabolic syndrome during treatment with lurasidone (40-160 mg/d) were analyzed using pooled, short-term data from three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (vs olanzapine and quetiapine XR); long-term data from two active-comparator-controlled studies (vs risperidone and quetiapine XR); and data from two open-label studies in which patients were switched from olanzapine or risperidone to lurasidone.

MetS was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. In short-term studies, the odds of meeting criteria for MetS at week 6 LOCF (adjusted for baseline metabolic syndrome status) was similar for the lurasidone and placebo groups (OR = 1.18; [95% CI, 0.81-1.71]; P = .39), but the odds (vs placebo) were significantly greater for olanzapine (OR = 2.81; [95% CI, 1.53-5.15]; P < .001) and quetiapine (OR = 3.49; [95% CI, 1.93-6.29]; P < .0001). No dose effect was observed for lurasidone across the dose range of 40-160 mg/d. In long-term studies, the odds of MetS after 12 months of treatment was significantly higher for risperidone compared with lurasidone (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.15-3.90; P = .016) and for quetiapine XR compared with lurasidone (OR = 3.92; 95% CI, 1.15-13.40; P = .029). In open-label extension studies, the rate of MetS decreased in patients switched to lurasidone after 6 weeks of treatment with olanzapine or 12 months of treatment with risperidone.

In this analysis of lurasidone clinical trials, the odds of developing metabolic syndrome were minimal during short- and long-term treatment with lurasidone (40-160 mg/d).

Among patients with depressive disorders, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is estimated to range from 35-40% and has been associated with increased mortality rates. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to assess the effect of treatment with lurasidone on the prevalence of MetS in patients with bipolar depression.

Lurasidone data (dose range, 20-120 mg/d) used in the current analyses consisted of 3 double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled, 6-week studies in adults with bipolar I depression (total N=1,192), consisting of 1 monotherapy, and 2 adjunctive therapy trials with lithium or valproate. Patients who completed the short-term trials continued into a 6-month open-label (OL) extension study, with 6-month (LOCF-endpoint) data available on 274 patients treated with lurasidone monotherapy, and 436 patients treated with lurasidone adjunctive therapy. Also analyzed was a recurrence prevention study in stabilized bipolar patients who completed up to 20 weeks of OL adjunctive treatment with lurasidone, and then were randomized to 28 weeks of DB adjunctive therapy with lurasidone or placebo (N=497). MetS was defined based on NCEP ATP III criteria (2005 revision).

In the short-term monotherapy and adjunctive therapy studies, the proportion of patients at baseline meeting NCEP III criteria for MetS were 27.6% and 23.6%, respectively, for lurasidone, and 23.8% and 25.1%, respectively, for placebo; and at week 6 (LOCF) the proportion with MetS was 27.5% and 26.6%, respectively, for lurasidone and 29.9% and 20.2%, respectively, for placebo. The proportion of patients who did not meet MetS criteria at baseline but developed MetS at week 6 (LOCF) was similar for lurasidone vs. placebo in the monotherapy study (9.9% vs. 11.6%); and in the two adjunctive therapy studies (10.3% vs. 8.3%). During the 6-month OL extension study, the proportion of patients treated with lurasidone monotherapy and adjunctive therapy who did not meet MetS criteria at OL baseline but developed MetS at month 6 (LOCF) was 11.7% and 11.9%, respectively. Conversely, the proportion of patients who met MetS criteria at OL baseline, but no longer met criteria at month 6 (LOCF) was 9.5% and 7.7%, respectively. In the 20-week, OL phase of the recurrence prevention study, the proportion of patients treated with adjunctive lurasidone who did not meet MetS criteria at OL baseline but developed MetS at endpoint was 11.5% (LOCF). After up to 28 weeks of DB treatment, the proportion of patients who did not meet MetS criteria at DB baseline but developed MetS at endpoint was 9.0% in the adjunctive lurasidone group, and 10.5% in the adjunctive placebo group (LOCF).

This post-hoc analysis found that short- and long-term treatment with lurasidone was associated with a relatively low risk for the development of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar I disorder. These findings are consistent with similar analyses in patients with schizophrenia.

Supported by funding from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of lurasidone in treating patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with mixed features who present with mild and moderate-to-severe levels of anxiety.

The data in this analysis were derived from a study of patients meeting the DSM–IV–TR criteria for unipolar MDD, with a Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score ≥26, presenting with two or three protocol-defined manic symptoms, who were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with either lurasidone 20–60 mg/day (n=109) or placebo (n=100). Anxiety severity was evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM–A). To evaluate the effect of baseline anxiety on response to lurasidone, the following two anxiety groups were defined: mild anxiety (HAM–A≤14) and moderate-to-severe anxiety (HAM–A≥15). Change from baseline in MADRS total score was analyzed for each group using a mixed model for repeated measures.

Treatment with lurasidone was associated with a significant week 6 change versus placebo in MADRS total score for patients with both mild anxiety (–18.4 vs. –12.8, p<0.01, effect size [ES]=0.59) and moderate-to-severe anxiety (–22.0 vs. –13.0, p<0.001, ES=0.95). Treatment with lurasidone was associated with a significant week 6 change versus placebo in HAM–A total score for patients with both mild anxiety (–7.6 vs. –4.0, p<0.01, ES=0.62), and moderate-to-severe anxiety (–11.4 vs. –6.1, p<0.0001, ES=0.91).

In this post-hoc analysis of an MDD with mixed features and anxiety population, treatment with lurasidone was associated with significant improvement in both depressive and anxiety symptoms in subgroups with mild and moderate-to-severe levels of anxiety at baseline.

The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of lurasidone in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) with mixed features including irritability.

The data in this analysis were derived from a study of patients meeting DSM–IV–TR criteria for unipolar MDD, with a Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score ≥26, presenting with two or three protocol-defined manic symptoms, and who were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with either lurasidone 20–60 mg/d (n=109) or placebo (n=100). We defined “irritability” as a score ≥2 on both the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) irritability item (#5) and the disruptive-aggressive item (#9). Endpoint change in the MADRS and YMRS items 5 and 9 were analyzed using a mixed model for repeated measures for patients with and without irritability.

Some 20.7% of patients met the criteria for irritability. Treatment with lurasidone was associated with a significant week 6 change vs. placebo in MADRS score in both patients with (–22.6 vs. –9.5, p<0.0001, effect size [ES]=1.4) and without (–19.9 vs. –13.8, p<0.0001, ES=0.7) irritability. In patients with irritable features, treatment with lurasidone was associated with significant week 6 changes vs. placebo in both the YMRS irritability item (–1.4 vs. –0.3, p=0.0012, ES=1.0) and the YMRS disruptive-aggressive item (–1.0 vs. –0.3, p=0.0002, ES=1.2).

In our post-hoc analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled, 6-week trial, treatment with lurasidone significantly improved depressive symptoms in MDD patients with mixed features including irritability. In addition, irritability symptoms significantly improved in patients treated with lurasidone.

Depressive symptoms are common in schizophrenia and can worsen outcomes and increase suicide risk. Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic agent indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and for the treatment of major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. This post hoc analysis evaluated the effect of lurasidone on depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Patient-level data were pooled from 4 similarly designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week registration studies of lurasidone (40–160 mg/d) in adult patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. Changes in depressive symptoms, measured by the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), were analyzed for the overall sample and for subgroups of patients stratified by baseline MADRS scores.

MADRS assessments at baseline and endpoint (day 42 or last observation carried forward [LOCF]) were available for 1330 patients. Patients receiving lurasidone experienced significantly greater decreases in MADRS score (–2.8, least-squares [LS] mean change, LOCF) compared with patients receiving placebo (–1.4, P < .001, effect size 0.24). Analysis of change in MADRS score (LOCF) by baseline symptom severity (MADRS score of ≥12, ≥14, ≥16, ≥18) showed significantly greater improvement for lurasidone-treated patients across all severity groups; effect sizes ranged from 0.25 to 0.34. Among patients with a baseline MADRS score of ≥12, depressive symptom remission (defined as MADRS score <10 at LOCF endpoint) was attained by 45.0% of lurasidone-treated patients and 36.3% of patients receiving placebo (P < .05).

In a pooled analysis of short-term, placebo-controlled studies, lurasidone significantly improved depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.