Long-term treatment with ketamine and esketamine to reduce suicide risk in depressed patients

Long-Term Maintenance With Ketamine and Esketamine for Reduction of Suicide in High-Risk Patients With Depression

This study is testing if a combination of ketamine and esketamine can help reduce suicidal thoughts in people with major depression over six months.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Trial ID: NCT05450432 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines the effects of intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine on patients with Major Depressive Disorder and suicidal ideation over a 24-week period. Participants will receive eight IV ketamine treatments followed by 13 esketamine treatment visits, along with various assessments and daily surveys to evaluate treatment response. The study aims to assess the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of this treatment regimen compared to historical controls. Patients will be recruited from an inpatient psychiatric unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-70 with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and current suicidal ideation who are hospitalized in a psychiatric unit.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of previous treatment with IV ketamine or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment approach could significantly reduce suicidal ideation and improve outcomes for patients with severe depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with ketamine and esketamine for treating depression, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Inpatient at a psychiatric unit (or MGH medical unit, awaiting transfer to psychiatry).
2. Male and female, 18-70 years of age, inclusive, at screening.
3. Diagnosis of MDD, single or recurrent, and currently experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) at least eight weeks in duration, prior to screening, according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The diagnosis of MDD will be made by a site psychiatrist and supported by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
4. Suicidal ideation determined by a minimum score of 1 on item 12 of the QIDS-C assessment and based on admission to the inpatient unit for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
5. In good general health, as ascertained by medical history. If needed to verify health status, the investigator may order/conduct physical examination (PE) (including measurement of supine and standing vital signs), clinical laboratory evaluations, or ECG.
6. A status of non-childbearing potential or use of an acceptable form of birth control per the following specific criteria:

1\. Non-childbearing potential (e.g., physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, i.e., permanently sterilized (status post hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation), or is post-menopausal with her last menses at least one year prior to screening); or 2. Childbearing potential, and meets the following criteria:

1. Childbearing potential, including women using any form of hormonal birth control, on hormone replacement therapy started prior to 12 months of amenorrhea, using an intrauterine device (IUD), having a monogamous relationship with a partner who has had a vasectomy, or is sexually abstinent.
2. Negative urinary pregnancy test at screening, confirmed by a negative urinary pregnancy test prior to receiving study treatment.
3. Willing and able to continuously use a method of birth control during the course of the study (implants, injectable or patch hormonal contraception, oral contraceptives, IUD, double-barrier contraception, sexual abstinence). The form of birth control will be documented at screening.

7\. Access to a mobile phone or computer with internet connection. 8. Ability to read, understand and provide written and dated informed consent prior to screening.

9\. Must have a provider to manage psychiatric medication, such as a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, primary care physician, etc., either prior to admission or at discharge from the inpatient unit.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any history of previous treatment with IV ketamine.
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. Subject of childbearing potential who is not willing to use birth control during the study.
4. Unstable medical illness, i.e., severe liver or kidney disease, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
5. Current diagnosis of a moderate to severe substance use disorder (excluding mild or moderate alcohol or cannabis use disorder which will be permitted), within the last six months prior to screening based on DSM-5 criteria.
6. History of bipolar disorder, or any psychotic symptoms in the current or previous depressive episodes.
7. An Axis I or Axis II Disorder, which at screening is clinically predominant to their MDD or has been predominant to their MDD at any time within six months prior to screening (i.e., eating disorder, OCD, PTSD).
8. Currently receiving ECT treatment.
9. Currently receiving frequent or high dose benzodiazepines, opiates, barbiturates, or other CNS depressant medications, based on an increased risk of sedation in combination with ketamine.
10. Has dementia, delirium, amnestic, or any other primary cognitive disorder.
11. Has a clinically significant abnormality on the screening physical examination that might affect safety, study participation, or confound interpretation of study results according to a licensed physician on the study staff.
12. Inability to consent to or comply with the study procedures.
13. Other medical issues:

    1. Hypertension, (SBP ≥160 mmHg or DBP ≥100 mHg) at Screening - untreated
    2. Recent myocardial infarction (within one year)
    3. Lifetime history of surgical procedures involving the brain or meninges, encephalitis, meningitis, degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease), epilepsy, mental retardation, or any other disease/procedure/accident/intervention which, according to the screening done by a licensed physician, is deemed associated with significant injury to or malfunction of the CNS, or history of significant head trauma within the past 2 years
    4. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) outside of the normal limits and clinically significant as determined by the Investigator.
    5. Any other clinically significant abnormal laboratory result (determined as such by the Investigator and/or medical monitor) at the time of the screening.
    6. Patients with diabetes mellitus fulfilling any of the following criteria:

1\. Unstable diabetes mellitus defined as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) \>8.5% at screening.

2\. Admitted to hospital for treatment of diabetes mellitus or diabetes mellitus- related illness in the past 12 weeks.

g. Patients with a history of narrow angle glaucoma - untreated 14. Inability to comply with ketamine clinic safety procedures, including having reliable escorts to and from visits.

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

• Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Cristina Cusin, MD

Conditions Major Depressive Disorder; depression; suicidal ideation