Efficacy of HP-3070, an Asenapine Transdermal System, on Symptoms of Hostility in Adults With Schizophrenia: A Post Hoc Analysis of a 6-Week Phase 3 Study

Abstract

Objective: Patients with schizophrenia may exhibit symptoms of hostility. HP-3070 is the first antipsychotic patch approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with schizophrenia. Its efficacy was demonstrated in a phase 3 study. This post hoc analysis assessed the efficacy of HP-3070 in treating hostility in schizophrenia.

Methods: In the pivotal phase 3 study, conducted between August 2016 and November 2017, adults with schizophrenia (per DSM-5 criteria) were randomized to HP-3070 3.8 mg/24 h, HP-3070 7.6 mg/24 h, or placebo. Least-squares mean (LSM) changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) hostility item and PANSS-Excited Component (PANSS-EC) scores from baseline to week 6 were assessed post hoc using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures adjusted for selected PANSS-Positive symptoms and presence of somnolence or akathisia.

Results: Among 442 patients with baseline PANSS hostility item score > 1 (n = 151, HP-3070 7.6 mg/24 h; n = 147, 3.8 mg/24 h; n = 144, placebo), week 6 LSM (95% CI) change from baseline (CFB) in hostility score was superior with HP-3070 versus placebo for 7.6 mg/24 h (-0.4 [-0.6 to -0.2]; P < .001) and 3.8 mg/24 h (-0.3 [-0.6 to -0.1]; P < .01), with similar results for 7.6 mg/24 h after adjusting for covariates (P < .05). For all patients regardless of baseline PANSS hostility item score, PANSS-EC week 6 LSM CFB was greater for HP-3070 7.6 mg/24 h (-1.1 [-1.9 to -0.4]; n = 203; P < .01) and 3.8 mg/24 h (-1.3 [-2.0 to -0.6]; n = 201; P < .001) than for placebo (n = 203), with similar results observed in patients with baseline hostility item score > 1.

Conclusions: In this post hoc analysis, HP-3070 was superior to placebo in reducing schizophrenia-associated hostility, even after adjusting for covariates, suggesting these effects are at least partially independent of general antipsychotic effects or effects on sedation or akathisia. These findings suggest HP-3070 has a specific antihostility effect in patients with schizophrenia.

Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02876900; EudraCT number: 2015-005134-21.