Add-on slow-release oral ketamine for adults with major depression

A Pilot, Open-label Phase II Trial of Adjunctive Treatment With Ketamine Hydrochloride Prolonged-Release Tablets (KET01) During the Initiation of Antidepressant Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder

This study tests whether adding slow-release oral ketamine tablets to a new antidepressant can reduce depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder after one week.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Region Skane (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Lund, Skåne County)
• Trial ID: NCT07396272 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 2 trial gives adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder four clinic-administered doses of 240 mg ketamine hydrochloride prolonged-release tablets over one treatment week, started together with a new conventional antidepressant chosen by the treating physician. Depressive symptoms are measured with the MADRS at baseline and after one week, and participants complete questionnaires and rating scales during screening, treatment, and follow-up. Blood samples are taken at five visits to monitor side effects and explore biomarkers. After the one-week ketamine dosing period, the ketamine is stopped while the standard antidepressant is continued and participants are followed for outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with MDD (MADRS ≥22), current episode ≤12 months, BMI 18–35 kg/m2, willing to start a new conventional antidepressant and attend clinic dosing and follow-up visits are suitable candidates.

Not a fit: People with psychotic features, very long-standing or treatment-incompatible depressive episodes, those unwilling to change or start antidepressant therapy, or unable to attend in-clinic dosing are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding slow-release oral ketamine could produce faster symptom relief when started with a standard antidepressant, improving short-term depressive outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in other trials, but prolonged-release oral ketamine is relatively novel and less well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* The subject has given their written consent to participate in the trial.
* BMI ≥ 18 and ≤ 35 kg/m2.
* Primary diagnosis of MDD meeting DSM-5-TR criteria and one of the following episode characteristics: (a)MDD, single episode, moderate (ICD-10-CM: F32.1); (b) MDD, single episode, severe, without psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F32.2); (c) MDD, recurrent, moderate (ICD-10-CM: F33.1); (d) MDD, recurrent, severe, without psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F33.2)
* Duration of current depressive episode no longer than 12 months prior to screening.
* MADRS score ≥ 22 at screening
* Willingness to start a new, conventional antidepressant treatment which is chosen by the treating physician with regards to side effect profile and previous treatments, together with KET01, dosed according to the prescribed schedule.
* Willingness to terminate any ongoing antidepressant treatment if deemed ineffective by study physician in accordance with clinical practice (tapering or immediate stop), followed by a wash-out phase of at least 7 days without medication before treatment with the new antidepressant is initiated together with KET01.
* For females of childbearing potential: Must be willing to undergo pregnancy tests and will be required to use highly effective contraceptive measures from the time of informed consent until 28 days after last IMP intake. Methods that can achieve a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly are considered as highly effective birth control methods. Such methods include combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal or transdermal); progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral or injectable); implantable intrauterine device (IUD); intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion or practicing sexual abstinence (if this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant).
* For male participants with a partner of childbearing potential: Must be willing to use adequate contraceptive measures (barrier method) or practice sexual abstinence (if this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant) from the time of informed consent until 28 days after last IMP intake. Note: These requirements also apply for male participants who have had a vasectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known hypersensitivity or intolerance to ketamine or any of the excipients.
* Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planned pregnancy (if female).
* High suicide risk according to the overall assessment of the research physician.
* Known psychiatric and neurological concomitant condition of:

MDD, single episode, severe, with psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F32.3), MDD, recurrent, severe, with psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F33.3), Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (ICD-10-CM: F21, F22, F23, F20.81, F20.9, F25.0, F25.1, F06.0, F06.1, F06.2, F28 and F29) or bipolar disorder (ICD-10-CM: F31), other mental disorder due to known physiological condition (ICD-10-CM: F06). Participants with first-degree relatives (parents, brothers, sisters or children) with psychotic or bipolar disorders are also not considered eligible. Paranoid or schizoid personality disorder (ICD-10-CM: F60.0, F60.1). Antisocial, borderline, histrionic or narcissistic personality disorder (ICD-10-CM: F60.2, F60.3, F60.4, F60.81). Neurodevelopmental disorders, e.g. moderate to profound intellectual developmental disorders (ICD-10-CM: F71, F72, F73), or autism spectrum disorders (ICD-10-CM: F84).

* Known or suspected lifetime history of surgical procedures involving the brain or meninges, encephalitis, meningitis, degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder, epilepsy (excluding uncomplicated childhood febrile seizures with no sequelae) or any other disease/procedure/accident/intervention which, according to the investigator is deemed associated with significant injury to or malfunction of the CNS.
* History of significant head trauma within the past 2 years prior to Visit 1.
* History of cerebrovascular event (e.g. stroke, prolonged ischaemic neurologic deficit \[PRIND\], transient ischaemic attack).
* Known or suspected ongoing cardiac disease (e.g. unstable angina, congestive heart failure, tachyarrhythmia or myocardial infarction).
* Clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram findings at Visit 1 which may jeopardize participant's safety according to the investigator.
* Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension (after 5 minutes of rest, systolic blood pressure ≥ 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 120 mmHg confirmed by three sequential measurements with at least 5 minutes between the single measurements).
* Laboratory findings suggesting impaired hepatic function or liver cirrhosis i.e. gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values \> 2x times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \> 1.5 times the ULN at Visit 1. Participants with an isolated increase of indirect bilirubin not previously documented as a diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome must be discussed with the medical monitor.
* Known hepatitis B or C.
* eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or creatinine \> 200 μmol/L at Visit 1 or ongoing dialysis or kidney transplants.
* Diabetes mellitus with a haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value \> 64 mmol/mol at the screening visit.
* Hyperthyroidism.
* Uncontrolled hypothyroidism i.e. not at stable treatment with thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine/thyroxine \[T3/T4\]) within the 6 weeks before Visit 1 or abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) values at Visit 1.
* History (within 5 years before Visit 1) of complicated cystitis (defined as cystitis in males; due to anatomical abnormalities; due to immunocompromised state, in pregnant women; recurrent infections despite adequate treatment; infections occurring after instrumentation such as nephrostomy).
* Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the trial, or jeopardise the conduct of the trial according to the protocol.
* Previous administration of ketamine (with exception of known or suspected ketamine-anaesthesia) or esketamine.
* Prohibited prior and concomitant therapies and medication (see 7.3 Concomitant use of other medicinal products and treatments).
* History of moderate to severe alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, including e.g. benzodiazepines, opiates, ketamine, hallucinogens and related drugs, stimulants (e.g. phencyclidine \[PCP\]), lysergic acid diethylamide \[LSD\], 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine \[MDMA\], dextromethorphan, amphetamines, cocaine) or cannabis, except nicotine and caffeine, within 6 months before Visit 1 or a positive drug abuse test except for allowed medication prescribed for a medical condition.
* Participation in other treatment studies.
* Ongoing electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
* Ongoing compulsory psychiatric care.
* Other reason, as assessed by the investigator, that prevents the research subject's participation such as risk that the subject is unable to complete the trial (non-compliance).
* Recently started psychotherapy (within 6 weeks) or planning to start such treatment during participation in the trial.

Where this trial is running

Lund, Skåne County

• Adult Psychiatry — Lund, Skåne County, Sweden (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Daniel Lindqvist, PhD, MD — Region Skane
• Study coordinator: Mirjam Wolfschlag, PhD

Conditions Major Depressive Disorder