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A phase IIA randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy and safety of the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), MK-0773 in female participants with sarcopenia

The journal of nutrition, health & aging volume 17, pages 533–543 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass [defined as appendicular LBM/Height2 (aLBM/ht2) below peak value by>1SD], strength and function, is a major contributing factor to frailty in the elderly. MK-0773 is a selective androgen receptor modulator designed to improve muscle function while minimizing effects on other tissues.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate an improvement in muscle strength and lean body mass (LBM) in sarcopenic frail elderly women treated with MK-0773 relative to placebo.

Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled, multicenter, 6-month study. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either MK-0773 50mg b.i.d. or placebo; all participants received Vitamin D and protein supplementation.

Setting

General community.

Participants

170 Women aged ≥65 with sarcopenia and moderate physical dysfunction.

Measurements

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle strength and power, physical performance measures.

Results

Participants receiving MK-0773 showed a statistically significant increase in LBM from baseline at Month 6 vs. placebo (p<0.001). Participants receiving both MK-0773 and placebo showed a statistically significant increase in strength from baseline to Month 6, but the mean difference between the two groups was not significant (p=0.269). Both groups showed significant improvement from baseline at Month 6 in physical performance measures, but there were no statistically significant differences between participants receiving MK-0773 and placebo. A greater number of participants experienced elevated transaminases in the MK-0773 group vs. placebo, which resolved after discontinuation of study therapy. MK-0773 was generally well-tolerated with no evidence of androgenization.

Conclusions

The MK-0773-induced increase in LBM did not translate to improvement in strength or function vs. placebo. The improvement of strength and physical function in the placebo group could be at least partly attributed to protein and vitamin D supplementation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., P.O. Box 100, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 08889, USA

    Dimitris A. Papanicolaou, S. N. Ather, H. Zhu, Y. Zhou, J. Lutkiewicz, B. B. Scott & J. Chandler

  2. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, One Health Plaza, East Hanover, NJ, 07936-1080, USA

    Dimitris A. Papanicolaou

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  1. Dimitris A. Papanicolaou
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  2. S. N. Ather
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Correspondence to Dimitris A. Papanicolaou.

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Papanicolaou, D.A., Ather, S.N., Zhu, H. et al. A phase IIA randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy and safety of the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), MK-0773 in female participants with sarcopenia. J Nutr Health Aging 17, 533–543 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0335-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0335-x

Key words

  • Sarcopenia
  • aging
  • lean body mass
  • muscle
  • selective androgen receptor modulator