Application of clinical trial simulation to compare proof-of-concept study designs for drugs with a slow onset of effect; an example in Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical trial simulation (CTS) was used to select a robust design to test the hypothesis that a new treatment was effective for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Typically, a parallel group, placebo controlled, 12-week trial in 200-400 AD patients would be used to establish drug effect relative to placebo (i.e., Ho: Drug Effect = 0). We evaluated if a crossover design would allow smaller and shorter duration trials.


METHODS
A family of plausible drug and disease models describing the time course of the AD assessment scale (ADAS-Cog) was developed based on Phase I data and literature reports of other treatments for AD. The models included pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, disease progression, and placebo components. Eight alternative trial designs were explored via simulation. One hundred replicates of each combination of drug and disease model and trial design were simulated. A 'positive trial' reflecting drug activity was declared considering both a dose trend test (p < 0.05) and pair-wise comparisons to placebo (p < 0.025).


RESULTS
A 4 x 4 Latin Square design was predicted to have at least 80% power to detect activity across a range of drug and disease models. The trial design was subsequently implemented and the trial was completed. Based on the results of the actual trial, a conclusive decision about further development was taken. The crossover design provided enhanced power over a parallel group design due to the lower residual variability.


CONCLUSIONS
CTS aided the decision to use a more efficient proof of concept trial design, leading to savings of up to US 4 M dollars in direct costs and a firm decision 8-12 months earlier than a 12-week parallel group trial.
Lockwood
Peter
P
Pfizer Global Research and Development, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. peter.lockwood@pfizer.com
Ewy
Wayne
W
Hermann
David
D
Holford
Nick
N
D000465:Algorithms; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010091:Oximes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D011153:Population; D012107:Research Design
D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010091:Oximes; D010919:Placebos; C096405:PD 142505-0028