Background/Aims: A phase II study of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist rosiglitazone extended release (RSG XR) in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detected a treatment benefit to cognition in apolipoprotein E(APOE)-ε4-negative subjects. The current phase III study with prospective stratification by APOE genotype was conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety of RSG XR in mild-to-moderate AD. An open-label extension study assessed the long-term safety and tolerability of 8 mg RSG XR. Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolled 693 subjects. Within 2 APOE allelic strata (ε4-positive, ε4-negative), subjects were randomized (2:2:2:1) to once-daily placebo, 2 mg RSG XR, 8 mg RSG XR or 10 mg donepezil (control). Coprimary endpoints were change from baseline to week 24 in the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) score, and week 24 Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change plus caregiver input (CIBIC+). Results: At week 24, no significant differences from placebo in change from baseline in coprimary endpoints were detected with either the RSG XR dose in APOE-ε4-negative subjects or overall. For donepezil, no significant treatment difference was detected in ADAS-Cog; however, a significant difference was detected (p = 0.009) on the CIBIC+. Peripheral edema was the most common adverse event for 8 mg RSG XR (15%) and placebo (5%), and nasopharyngitis for 2 mg RSG XR (7%). Conclusion: No evidence of efficacy of 2 mg or 8 mg RSG XR monotherapy in cognition or global function was detected in the APOE-ε4-negative or other analysis populations. The safety and tolerability of RSG XR was consistent with its known pharmacology.
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Rosiglitazone, extended release
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ
- ApolipoproteinE allele ε4
- Health outcomes
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Michael Gold, MS, MD
Neurosciences Medicine Development Center
Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)
Tel. +1 919 483 8119, Fax +1 919 315 4687, E-Mail email@example.com
Accepted: June 21, 2010
Published online: August 21, 2010
Number of Print Pages : 16
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 7, Number of References : 60
Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Vol. 30, No. 2, Year 2010 (Cover Date: September 2010)
Journal Editor: Chan-Palay V. (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1420-8008 (Print), eISSN: 1421-9824 (Online)
For additional information: http://www.karger.com/DEM
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