Randomised clinical trial: the 5-HT4 agonist revexepride in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who have persistent symptoms despite PPI therapy.

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have only a partial response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Prokinetic drugs may improve reflux symptoms by enhancing oesophageal motility and gastric emptying. AIM: To evaluate the effect of revexepride, a novel prokinetic 5-hydroxytryptamine type 4 (5-HT4 ) receptor agonist, compared with placebo, in patients with GERD who have a partial response to PPIs. METHODS: A phase 2b, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted, in which patients were randomised to one of three revexepride treatment groups (0.1, 0.5 and 2.0 mg three times daily) or placebo (1:1:1:1 ratio). Daily e-diary data captured patients' symptoms over an 8-week treatment period. The primary efficacy outcome was the weekly percentage of regurgitation-free days in the second half of the study (weeks 5-8). RESULTS: In total, 480 patients were randomised and 477 received treatment (mean age 47.9 years; 61% women). The mean percentage of regurgitation-free days increased from baseline (range, 15.0-18.8%) to week 8 (62.3-70.5%) in all four study arms; however, there were no statistically significant differences in this change between placebo and the three treatment arms. No dose-dependent relationship in treatment effect was observed for any of the study endpoints. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was revexepride dose-dependent. Only one serious TEAE occurred and none resulted in death. CONCLUSIONS: Revexepride was no more effective than placebo in controlling regurgitation in patients with GERD symptoms partially responsive to PPIs. Revexepride was well tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01472939.

Randomized clinical trial: effect of the 5-HT4 receptor agonist revexepride on reflux parameters in patients with persistent reflux symptoms despite PPI treatment.

BACKGROUND: Approximately, 20-30% of patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) experience persistent symptoms despite treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These patients may have underlying dysmotility; therefore, targeting gastric motor dysfunction in addition to acid inhibition may represent a new therapeutic avenue. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacodynamic effect of the prokinetic agent revexepride (a 5-HT4 receptor agonist) in patients with GERD who have persistent symptoms despite treatment with a PPI. METHODS: This was a phase II, exploratory, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study in patients with GERD who experienced persistent symptoms while taking a stable dose of PPIs (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01370863). Patients were randomized to either revexepride (0.5 mg, three times daily) or matching placebo for 4 weeks. Reflux events and associated characteristics were assessed by pH/impedance monitoring and disease symptoms were assessed using electronic diaries and questionnaires. KEY RESULTS: In total, 67 patients were enrolled in the study. There were no significant differences between study arms in the number, the mean proximal extent or the bolus clearance times of liquid-containing reflux events. Changes from baseline in the number of heartburn, regurgitation, and other symptom events were minimal for each treatment group and no clear trends were observed. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: No clear differences were seen in reflux parameters between the placebo and revexepride groups.