Primary objective • To evaluate the efficacy of 5 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL concentrations of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution versus vehicle, in order to demonstrate superiority of at least 1 of the concentrations over vehicle in the improvement of ocular symptoms of dry eye in participants with dry eye disease (DED) Key secondary objectives * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in increasing the number of participants with improved reflex tear production as compared to vehicle at week 4 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving reflex tear production as compared to vehicle at week 4 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving ocular surface integrity (corneal epitheliopathy) as compared to vehicle at week 4 Secondary objectives * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving reflex tear production as compared to vehicle at week 8 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving tear film stability as compared to vehicle at weeks 4 and 8 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving ocular surface integrity (corneal and conjunctival epitheliopathy) as compared to vehicle at weeks 4 and 8 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving the severity and frequency of dry eye symptoms as compared to vehicle at weeks 4 and 8 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving dry eye symptoms as compared to vehicle at week 4 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving associated symptoms in DED as compared to vehicle at weeks 4 and 8 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving the quality of life in participants with DED as compared to vehicle at weeks 4 and 8 * To evaluate the efficacy of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution in improving best corrected visual acuity in DED as compared to vehicle at weeks 4 and 8 Safety objectives * To evaluate safety/tolerability of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution * To evaluate safety of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution * To evaluate tolerability of the new formulation of rhNGF ophthalmic solution
This was a phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-masked, parallel-arm, vehicle-controlled, dose-finding, clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 concentrations (5 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL) of a reconstituted lyophilized formulation of rhNGF, administered as 1 drop of an ophthalmic solution 3 times a day (TID) in both eyes for 4 weeks in participants with DED. Participants were evaluated at the screening visit (day -12 ± 2; visit 1), baseline (day 1; visit 2), week 2 (day 13 ± 1; visit 3), week 4 end of treatment (EOT; day 28 ± 1; visit 4), and week 8 end of follow-up and end of study (EOS; day 56 ± 2; visit 5). At the screening visit (visit 1), participants who signed informed consent and met all eligibility criteria were enrolled and instructed to discontinue all topical ophthalmic medications; during the run-in period, they were only allowed to use investigational product (vehicle) ophthalmic solution provided by the sponsor. The first eye drop of the vehicle was applied to both eyes of participants at the site by the investigator during visit 1. Participants were instructed on how to prepare the investigational product (vehicle) daily at home and then how to self-administer 1 drop TID in both eyes. A Patient Diary for the run-in phase was supplied to the participant. At the conclusion of the day 1 baseline visit (visit 2), participants still meeting all eligibility criteria were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to a 4-week treatment regimen of investigational product (vehicle, or rhNGF \[5 μg/mL or 10 μg/mL\]), administered as follows: * 1 drop of rhNGF ophthalmic solution at 5 μg/mL in each eye TID, at approximately 6-hour intervals, for 4 weeks * 1 drop of rhNGF ophthalmic solution at 10 μg/mL in each eye TID, at approximately 6-hour intervals, for 4 weeks * 1 drop of vehicle in each eye, TID, at approximately 6-hour intervals, for 4 weeks. Eligible participants were also dispensed a 2-week supply of the investigational product (vehicle or rhNGF) to administer at home between visits 2 and 3. They received another 2-week supply during visit 3. A Patient Diary for recording the treatment phase was supplied to the participant. At visit 2 (baseline visit) a study eye was determined. Namely, the study eye was the worse eye. Assuming that all inclusion/exclusion criteria were met in both eyes, the worse eye (study eye) was determined based on the lower Schirmer-I (without anesthesia) score. If the Schirmer-I score was identical in both eyes, the study eye was determined based on the worse score for corneal and conjunctival NEI staining (total score for corneal staining followed by total score for conjunctival). If the staining score was identical in both eyes, then the right eye was assigned as the study eye. Participants who prematurely discontinued the treatment (for any reason) were asked to complete the remaining assessments planned by the protocol and received commercially available preservative-free AT, TID, provided by the sponsor. In case of withdrawal from the study, participants were asked to complete the assessment expected for visit 4 as an Early Exit Visit. Following the completion of the treatment period, participants were followed up for an additional 4 weeks and were evaluated at 8 weeks (visit 5). During the 4-week follow-up period, no treatment was allowed except for commercially available preservative free AT TID provided by the sponsor. A Patient Diary for the follow-up period was supplied to the patient.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
317
1 drop of rhNGF ophthalmic solution at 5 μg/mL in each eye TID, at approximately 6-hour intervals, for 4 weeks of treatment.
1 drop of rhNGF ophthalmic solution at 10 μg/mL in each eye TID, at approximately 6-hour intervals, for 4 weeks of treatment.
Eye drop solution, containing no rhNGF. 1 drop of vehicle in each eye TID at approximately 6-hour intervals, for 4 weeks of treatment.
Arizona Eye Center
Chandler, Arizona, United States
East West Eye Institute
Torrance, California, United States
Vision Institute - Fontanero St
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Sibia Eye Institute
Boynton Beach, Florida, United States
Eye Consultants of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
New England Eye Center - Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Eye Associates of North Jersey
Dover, New Jersey, United States
The Scheie Eye Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Total Eye Care PA
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Toyos Clinic
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
...and 4 more locations
Mean Change From Baseline to Week 8 in Symptoms of Dry Eye Assessed by Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) Global Score
SANDE questionnaire included 2 VAS-based questions that assessed: (i) DED symptom frequency (from 0 to 100) (ii) DED symptom severity (from 0 to 100) compiled by the participants. The global SANDE score (from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most frequent and severe dry eye symptoms) was calculated by multiplying the frequency score by the severity score and obtaining the square root. For SANDE global Score, the lower the score, the better the outcome. Adjusted means are reported. Data here reported are the data after having applied the predefined strategy to handle intercurrent events (i.e. data for SANDE collected in the week after an administration of a prohibited medication are set to missing under the hypothetical strategy while a treatment policy strategy is used for any other intercurrent event). Missing data for SANDE Global Score are imputed employing Multiple Imputation (MI) based on copy-reference approach assuming MNAR.
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Key Secondary Outcome: Percentage of Participants Improving to Schirmer-I Test Without Anesthesia ≥ 10 mm/5 Min in the Study Eye at Week 4
Schirmer-I test was performed without anesthesia to determine wetting of the strip within 5 minutes, the length of the moistened strip being measured in millimeters (mm). "Improvement" is defined as having a change from baseline at the corresponding visit \>= 10 mm/5min in Schirmer-I test without anesthesia. Data analyzed and here reported were the data after having applied the predefined strategy to handle intercurrent events (ie, data for Schirmer-I Test collected in the week after an administration of a prohibited medication were set to missing under the hypothetical strategy while a treatment policy strategy was used for any other intercurrent event). Missing data for Schirmer-I Test were imputed employing an MI based on copy-reference approach assuming MNAR.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4)
Key Secondary Outcome: Mean Change From Baseline to Week 4 in Schirmer-I Score Without Anesthesia in the Study Eye
The Schirmer test was used in ophthalmic examination to measure tear production for the diagnosis of several ocular conditions such as dry eye. Without previously instilling anesthetic drops, the Schirmer strip was inserted into the lower conjunctival sac at the junction of the lateral and middle thirds, avoiding touching the cornea, and the length of wetting strips in millimeters was recorded after 5 minutes. After 5 minutes had elapsed, the Schirmer test strip was removed and the length of the tear absorption on the strip was measured (millimeters/5 minutes). Cutoff values: \<5 mm - pathologic dry eye 5-10 mm - marginal dry eye \>10 and \<30 mm - normal secretion The longer the moistened strip, the healthier the status of the eye. Adjusted means are reported. Data here reported are the data after having applied the predefined strategy to handle intercurrent events. Missing data for Schirmer-I Test were imputed employing an MI based on copy reference approach assuming MNAR.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4)
Key Secondary Outcome: Mean Change From Baseline to Week 4 in Total Corneal Fluorescein Staining (National Eye Institute NEI Scale) in the Study Eye as Assessed by the Investigator
Corneal fluorescein staining examination was performed at the slit-lamp using blue light. Corneal fluorescein staining was graded according to the NEI scale (5 zones, each zone scoring 0-3, with a total score ranging 0-15, with a higher number representing more staining). The five cornea zones are: central, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal. To avoid the phenomenon of quenching, which is increased in participants with dry eye, staining was assessed after 2-5 minutes from fluorescein instillation for fTBUT evaluation. Adjusted means are reported. Data here reported are the data after having applied the predefined strategy to handle intercurrent events. Missing data for The corneal fluorescein staining (NEI score) were imputed employing an MI based on copy reference approach assuming MNAR.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4)
Mean Change From Baseline to Week 8 in Schirmer-I Score Without Anesthesia in the Study Eye
Schirmer-I test was performed without anesthesia to determine wetting of the strip within 5 minutes, the length of the moistened strip being measured in millimeters (mm). The longer the moistened strip, the better the outcome. The ones reported are adjusted means. Missing data for Schirmer-I Test were imputed employing an MI based on copy reference approach assuming MNAR.
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Percentage of Participants Improving to Schirmer-I Test Without Anesthesia ≥ 10 mm/5min in the Study Eye at Week 8
Schirmer-I test was performed without anesthesia to determine wetting of the strip within 5 minutes, the length of the moistened strip being measured in millimeters (mm). "Improvement" is defined as having a change from baseline at the corresponding visit \>= 10 mm/5min in Schirmer-I test without anesthesia. Missing data for Schirmer-I Score were imputed employing an MI based on copy-reference approach assuming MNAR. Samely, "Adjusted proportions" are reported, expressed under the term "mean" (the system doesn't provide the option "adjusted proportion").
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Mean Change From Baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 in Fluorescein Tear Break-up Time (fTBUT) in Study Eye
fTBUT was measured by determining the time to tear film break-up. fTBUT was measured after instilling one drop of fluorescein into the inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac of the study eye. After the participant blinked several times, the examiner waited \~30 seconds. Using a slit lamp (10X, cobalt blue), the examiner recorded the fTBUT as the time from the last blink to the first break in the tear film. The shorter the time, the worse the outcome. The fTBUT was measured twice during the first minute after the instillation. If the 2 readings differed by more than 2 seconds, then a third was taken. The fTBUT value was the average of the 2 or 3 measurements. Missing data for fluorescein tear break-up Time were imputed employing an MI based on copy-reference approach assuming MNAR. Two separate imputation models were used for each timepoint. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4) and Week 8 (V5)
Mean Change From Baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 in the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) Questionnaire's Ocular Pain and Quality of Life (QoL) Scores
OPAS is a validated questionnaire. Administered to all patients, it was completed only by those that either had eye pain or had filled this form before. It has 7 domains: * eye pain intensity over 24 hours and past two weeks * non-eye pain intensity * quality of life * aggravating factors * associated factors * symptomatic relief Each subscale score= sum of scores divided by number of questions answered within each subscale. % values were divided by 10 before applying the algorithm. Ocular Pain Score = sum of the scores for eye pain intensity at 24 hours and 2 weeks (questions 4-9) divided by the number of questions answered for questions 4-9. This subscore ranges 0-10, where the higher the score, the worse the outcome. QoL score = sum of the scores for QoL subscale (questions 13-19) divided by the number of questions answered for questions 13-19. QoL scores range 0-10 where the higher the score, the better the outcome. MI was applied. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4) and week 8 (V5)
Mean Change From Baseline to Week 8 in Total Corneal Fluorescein Staining (National Eye Institute NEI Scale) in the Study Eye as Assessed by the Investigator
Corneal fluorescein staining examination was performed at the slit-lamp using blue light. Corneal fluorescein staining was graded according to the NEI scale (5 zones, each zone scoring 0-3, with a total score ranging 0-15, with a higher number representing more staining). The five cornea zones are: central, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal. To avoid the phenomenon of quenching, which is increased in participants with dry eye, staining was assessed after 2-5 minutes from fluorescein instillation for fTBUT evaluation. Missing data for corneal fluorescein staining were imputed employing an MI based on copy-reference approach assuming MNAR. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Mean Change From Baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 in Symptoms Questionnaire (SANDE) Scores for Severity
The Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaire was a short questionnaire to evaluate both dry eye intensity/severity and frequency. This questionnaire used a 100 mm horizontal line (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS) for each of the 2 questions to assess ocular discomfort and/or dryness experienced by the patients. In the SANDE questionnaire, frequency of symptoms ranges from "rarely" to "all of the time" and the severity of symptoms ranged from "very mild" to "very severe". Patients were asked to place a mark on the two given lines based on the extent of their symptoms. The locations of the marks was measured in mm from left to right and recorded as frequency and severity scores, respectively. The SANDE scale ranged from 0, being the minimal amount of dry eye symptoms (best outcome) to 100, being the maximal amount of dry eye symptoms (worst outcome). In this outcome severity score was assessed. MI was applied. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4) and week 8 (V5)
Mean Change From Baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 in Symptoms Questionnaire (SANDE) Scores for Frequency
SANDE was a short questionnaire to evaluate both dry eye intensity and frequency. It uses a 100 mm horizontal line (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), for each of the 2 questions, to assess ocular discomfort and/or dryness. Frequency of symptoms ranged from "rarely" (best outcome) to "all of the time" (worst outcome), while the severity of symptoms ranged from "very mild" (best outcome) to "very severe" (worst outcome). Patients had to place a mark on the two given lines based on the extent of their symptoms. The locations of the marks was measured in mm from left to right and recorded as frequency and severity scores, respectively. The SANDE lines for intensity and for severity ranged from 0, being the minimal amount of dry eye symptoms (best outcome) to 100, being the maximal amount of dry eye symptoms (worst outcome). In this outcome frequency score was assessed. MI was applied. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4) and week 8 (V5)
Mean Change From Baseline to Week 4 in Symptoms of Dry Eye Assessed by SANDE Global Score
SANDE questionnaire included 2 VAS-based questions that assessed: (i) DED symptom frequency (from 0 to 100) (ii) DED symptom severity (from 0 to 100) compiled by the participants. The global SANDE score (from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most frequent and severe dry eye symptoms) was calculated by multiplying the frequency score by the severity score and obtaining the square root. For SANDE global Score, the lower the score, the better the outcome. Adjusted means are reported. Data here reported are the data after having applied the predefined strategy to handle intercurrent events (i.e. data for SANDE collected in the week after an administration of a prohibited medication are set to missing under the hypothetical strategy while a treatment policy strategy is used for any other intercurrent event). Missing data for SANDE Global Score are imputed employing Multiple Imputation based on copy-reference approach assuming MNAR. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4)
Mean Change From Baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 in Best Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (BCDVA) Score in Study Eye
The BCDVA score is measured by ETDRS letter score. The score is given by the total number of letters read at 4-m distance. If 20 or more letters are read, then the score is given by the total number of letters read + 30. If less than 20 letters are read at 4-m distance, the score is given by the sum of the letters read at 4-m distance and the letters read at 1-m distance. The equivalent logMAR score is given by: logMAR = 1.7 - (0.02) x (ETDRS letter score). The higher the score the better the outcome. MI was applied. Adjusted means are reported.
Time frame: Week 4 (V4) and Week 8 (V5)
Safety Outcome: Incidence of theTreatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) Overall (Ocular and Non-ocular) Assessed Throughout the Study
TEAEs were defined as adverse events that were reported or worsened on or after the first dose of study treatment. Safety results are provided for overall (ocular and non-ocular) and separately for ocular and non-ocular adverse events.
Time frame: Throughout the study, from baseline to the end of trial (Week 8,V5)
Safety Outcome: Frequency of the Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) (Ocular and Non-ocular) at Participant Level, Assessed Throughout the Study Including run-in Period
TEAEs were defined as adverse events that were reported or worsened on or after the first dose of study treatment. Most frequently reported ocular adverse events (reported in \> 1 participant in the total group) are reported here: at participant's level, for the "on treatment" and for the "follow-up" periods, while most frequently reported non-ocular adverse events (reported in \> 1 participant in the total group) are reported at patient level for the overall period.
Time frame: Throughout the study, including run-in period
Safety Outcome: Mean Change From Baseline to Week 8 in Corneal Endothelial Cell Density in Both Eyes (Study Eye and Fellow Eye)
Corneal Endothelial Cell Density (ECD) is a measure of the number of cells per square millimeter in the innermost layer of the cornea, which is crucial for maintaining corneal transparency and hydration. ECD is typically highest at birth (around 3,000 cells/mm2) and decreases with age, reaching approximately 2,500 cells/mm2) in adulthood. A critical minimum of 400-500 cells/mm2 is required to maintain proper function, and if the density falls below this level, it can lead to corneal edema and reduced vision. Results (absolute values and change from baseline) were summarized using descriptive statistics at each scheduled visit for both eyes. Herenuder only mean change from baseline to week 8 is reported.
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Safety Outcome: Percentage of Participants With Vitritis, Retinal or Vitreal Hemorrhages, Retinal or Posterior Vitreal Detachment, Retinal Tears, Maculopathy on Dilated Fundus Exam (DFE) in Both Eyes at Week 8
A summary of dilated fundoscopy (DFE) results at week 8 for the following parameters: maculopathy, posterior vitreous detachment, optic nerve abnormal appearance, retinal or virtual hemorrhage, vitritis, in the SAF is presented for the study eye and for the fellow eye.
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Safety Outcome: Change From Baseline to Week 8 in Cup-to-disc Ratio in Both Eyes
Change from baseline in cup-to-disc ratio in the SAF population is presented for the study eye and for the fellow eye. An increased cup-to-disc ratio means the "cup" (the central depression) of the optic nerve is larger relative to the "disc" (the entire nerve head), which can indicate a loss of nerve fibers and is often a sign of glaucoma. An increase in this ratio may indicate a decrease in the quantity of healthy neuroretinal cells. For the change from baseline, only patients with a value at both baseline visit and the postbaseline visit are included.
Time frame: Week 8 (V5)
Safety Outcome: Mean Change From Baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 in Bulbar Conjunctival Redness (VBR 10 Score) in Both Eyes
Bulbar conjunctival redness was assessed at the slit-lamp using white light prior to vital dye instillation and graded according to the Validate Bulbar Redness (VBR 10) scale. The scale starts at grade 10 and has 10-point steps between reference images (score range 10-100). The VBR scale ranges from 10 to 100 with a higher score meaning more severe redness. The ocular areas where the redness is assessed for the study eye and the fellow eye are: * Nasal conjunctiva * Temporal conjunctiva Please note that the results (absolute values and change from baseline) were summarized by conjunctiva, visit and eye using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Weeks 4 (V4) and 8 (V5)
Percentage of Participants Who Discontinued the Treatment Due to Tolerability Issues
The number and percentage of participants who discontinued study treatment due to tolerability were summarized as recorded in the eCRF EOT page.
Time frame: Throughout the study till week 8 (V5)
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