Indirect comparison of apomorphine sublingual film and levodopa inhalation powder for Parkinson's disease â OFF' episodes

Abstract

Aim: To compare efficacy of apomorphine sublingual film (APL) and levodopa inhalation powder (CVT-301) for an-demand' treatment of Parkinson's disease â OFF' episodes. Patients & methods: Patient-level data from an APL pivotal study were re-weighted to match average baseline characteristics from a CVT-301 study (SPAN-PD). Placebo-Adjusted treatments were compared at week 12. Results: Improvements in predose Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III scores were significantly larger for APL versus CVT-301 at 60 min postdose (least squares mean difference-in-difference:-8.82; p = 0.002); difference at 30 min favored APL but was not statistically significant (-4.46; p = 0.103). Total daily â OFF' time reductions were significantly larger for APL versus CVT-301 (-1.31 h; p = 0.013). Conclusion: Results suggest APL treatment may lead to improved efficacy versus CVT-301.