A phase 2b, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-ranging study of the neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.

Menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) may result from altered thermoregulatory control in brain regions innervated by neurokinin 3 receptor-expressing neurons. This phase 2b study evaluated seven dosing regimens of fezolinetant, a selective neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist, as a nonhormone approach for the treatment of VMS. Menopausal women aged >40-65 years with moderate/severe VMS (≥50 episodes/wk) were randomized (double-blind) to fezolinetant 15, 30, 60, 90 mg BID or 30, 60, 120 mg QD, or placebo for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were reduction in moderate/severe VMS frequency and severity ([number of moderate VMS × 2] + [number of severe VMS × 3]/total daily moderate/severe VMS) at weeks 4 and 12. Response (≥50% reduction in moderate/severe VMS frequency) was a key secondary outcome. Of 352 treated participants, 287 completed the study. Fezolinetant reduced moderate/severe VMS frequency by -1.9 to -3.5/day at week 4 and -1.8 to -2.6/day at week 12 (all P < 0.05 vs placebo). Mean difference from placebo in VMS severity score was -0.4 to -1 at week 4 (all doses P < 0.05) and -0.2 to -0.6 at week 12 (P < 0.05 for 60 and 90 mg BID and 60 mg QD). Response (50% reduction) relative to placebo was achieved by 81.4% to 94.7% versus 58.5% of participants at end of treatment (all doses P < 0.05). Treatment-emergent adverse events were largely mild/moderate; no serious treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events occurred. Fezolinetant is a well-tolerated, effective nonhormone therapy that rapidly reduces moderate/severe menopausal VMS. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A572; video script available at http://links.lww.com/MENO/A573.