Cenobamate: A New Adjunctive Agent for Drug-Resistant Focal Onset Epilepsy

2020 ◽  
pp. 106002802094111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Buckley ◽  
Olivia R. Waters ◽  
George DeMaagd

Objective: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of oral cenobamate in the treatment of uncontrolled focal epilepsy. Data Sources: The PubMed database and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched using the following terms: cenobamate, Xcopri, and YKP3089. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles published in English between January 2000 and April 2020 related to pharmacology, safety, and clinical trials were assessed. Data Synthesis: In a phase 2 trial, cenobamate reduced the median percentage change in seizure frequency from baseline by 56% compared with 22% for placebo ( P < 0.0001). In another phase 2 trial of multiple cenobamate doses, cenobamate reduced seizure frequency by 36% ( P = 0.0071) in the 100-mg group and 55% ( P < 0.0001) in both the 200- and 400-mg groups, compared to 24% with placebo. Adverse effects of cenobamate appear to be similar to those of other antiseizure medications and primarily affect the neurological system. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: In patients taking antiseizure medications who continue to have focal seizures, cenobamate has efficacy at multiple doses and is generally well tolerated. Cenobamate may be distinguished from other antiseizure medications by high rates of seizure freedom not seen in previous placebo-controlled trials, which has the potential to significantly improve quality of life. However, despite this efficacy, Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms may remain a significant concern with cenobamate. Conclusion: As seen in clinical trials, cenobamate as an adjunctive, once-daily treatment represents an efficacious and generally well-tolerated therapy for patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Chengwei Xu ◽  
Wenjing Zhou

For some patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, we usually select conventional surgical resection, which has brought better outcomes. However, others are not eligible for a conventional open surgical resection of the epileptogenic zone because of the proximity of a functional area or the implication of a larger epileptogenic network. Initially, stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) exploration was a method of electroencephalography recording that was used in the presurgical evaluation of epileptic patients with complex epilepsy. Later, intracerebral electrodes used for SEEG were applied to produce radio frequency thermocoagulation (RF-TC) in epileptic patients. SEEG-guided RF-TC has produced some promising results, especially in the last dacade. Now, it has become popular as a palliative treatment to reduce seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. This article presents a review of SEEG-guided RF-TC.


Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. e1244-e1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dileep R. Nair ◽  
Kenneth D. Laxer ◽  
Peter B. Weber ◽  
Anthony M. Murro ◽  
Yong D. Park ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of brain-responsive neurostimulation in adults with medically intractable focal onset seizures (FOS) over 9 years.MethodsAdults treated with brain-responsive neurostimulation in 2-year feasibility or randomized controlled trials were enrolled in a long-term prospective open label trial (LTT) to assess safety, efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) over an additional 7 years. Safety was assessed as adverse events (AEs), efficacy as median percent change in seizure frequency and responder rate, and QOL with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-89) inventory.ResultsOf 256 patients treated in the initial trials, 230 participated in the LTT. At 9 years, the median percent reduction in seizure frequency was 75% (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed rank), responder rate was 73%, and 35% had a ≥90% reduction in seizure frequency. We found that 18.4% (47 of 256) experienced ≥1 year of seizure freedom, with 62% (29 of 47) seizure-free at the last follow-up and an average seizure-free period of 3.2 years (range 1.04–9.6 years). Overall QOL and epilepsy-targeted and cognitive domains of QOLIE-89 remained significantly improved (p < 0.05). There were no serious AEs related to stimulation, and the sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) rate was significantly lower than predefined comparators (p < 0.05, 1-tailed χ2).ConclusionsAdjunctive brain-responsive neurostimulation provides significant and sustained reductions in the frequency of FOS with improved QOL. Stimulation was well tolerated; implantation-related AEs were typical of other neurostimulation devices; and SUDEP rates were low.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT00572195.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that brain-responsive neurostimulation significantly reduces focal seizures with acceptable safety over 9 years.


2020 ◽  
pp. 106002802094352
Author(s):  
Mary B. Gadarowski ◽  
Rima I. Ghamrawi ◽  
Sarah L. Taylor ◽  
Steven R. Feldman

Objective: PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs (Jeuveau), a botulinum toxin type A, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines in February 2019. This article will review phase II and III clinical trials to assess the efficacy, safety, and clinical application of this novel, aesthetic-only drug. Data sources: A systematic literature review was performed using the terms “glabellar lines AND prabotulinumtoxinA” in the PubMed database. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched to identify nonpublished studies. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles written in English between November 2019 and June 2020 discussing phase II and phase III clinical trials were evaluated. Data Synthesis: By the primary efficacy end point on day 30, more patients achieved a greater than 2-point improvement on the Glabellar Line Scale (GLS) at maximum frown compared with baseline on day 0. The proportions of participants who responded to treatment with prabotulinumtoxinA were 67.5% and 70.4% versus 1.2% and 1.3% in placebo groups across 2 identical clinical trials ( P < 0.001). Patients receiving prabotulinumtoxinA experienced greater improvement in GLS at maximum frown on day 30 (87.2%) compared with onabotulinumtoxinA (82.8%) and placebo (4.2%; P < 0.001). PrabotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated across all studies. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review provides a detailed analysis of the safety and efficacy of prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs and includes special considerations to help guide patients and clinicians. Conclusion: PrabotulinumtoxinA is a safe and effective new addition to the repository of available treatments for the appearance of glabellar lines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ece Boran ◽  
Johannes Sarnthein ◽  
Niklaus Krayenbühl ◽  
Georgia Ramantani ◽  
Tommaso Fedele

Abstract High-frequency oscillations (HFO) are promising EEG biomarkers of epileptogenicity. While the evidence supporting their significance derives mainly from invasive recordings, recent studies have extended these observations to HFO recorded in the widely accessible scalp EEG. Here, we investigated whether scalp HFO in drug-resistant focal epilepsy correspond to epilepsy severity and how they are affected by surgical therapy. In eleven children with drug-resistant focal epilepsy that underwent epilepsy surgery, we prospectively recorded pre- and postsurgical scalp EEG with a custom-made low-noise amplifier (LNA). In four of these children, we also recorded intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG). To detect clinically relevant HFO, we applied a previously validated automated detector. Scalp HFO rates showed a significant positive correlation with seizure frequency (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.001). Overall, scalp HFO rates were higher in patients with active epilepsy (19 recordings, p = 0.0066, PPV = 86%, NPV = 80%, accuracy = 84% CI [62% 94%]) and decreased following successful epilepsy surgery. The location of the highest HFO rates in scalp EEG matched the location of the highest HFO rates in ECoG. This study is the first step towards using non-invasively recorded scalp HFO to monitor disease severity in patients affected by epilepsy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. i143-i143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Weiss ◽  
Scott Plotkin ◽  
Brigitte Widemann ◽  
James Tonsgard ◽  
Jaishri Blakeley ◽  
...  

Hematology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (1) ◽  
pp. 489-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcie R. Tomblyn ◽  
J. Douglas Rizzo

Abstract New pharmaceuticals, innovative combinations of approved agents, and novel treatment modalities have resulted in a marked increase in the need for clinical trials. Evidence for treatment efficacy is best derived from large phase 3 randomized, controlled clinical trials. However, phase 3 investigations are lengthy and expensive, and consume patient resources. Furthermore, some diseases and treatment indications are rare, and adequate numbers of patients for a definitive phase 3 trial do not exist. Consequently, it is imperative for clinicians to understand phase 2 trial design, since their interpretation is required to apply the findings in clinical practice appropriately. The complexity of phase 2 studies is explored, including unique designs, possible use of randomization, and other key elements necessary for interpretation of phase 2 trials. Specific examples and application of these concepts are discussed in this review.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
I. Gusti Ngurah Made Suwarba ◽  
Soetjiningsih Soetjiningsih ◽  
I. Made Bakta ◽  
I. Made Jawi ◽  
I. Dewa Made Sukrama ◽  
...  

The water extract of purple sweet potato contains of anthocyanin, a sub-class of flavonoid that has powerful antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticonvulsant effect. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of supplementation of water extract of purple sweet potato towards recovery (remission) of drug resistant focal epilepsy (DRFE) in children with standard conventional antiepileptic medicine. It was found that the supplementation of purple sweet potato extract had a pure effect in improving all of the dependent variables, including decreased of the serum level of 8-OHdG by 1.611 pg/mL (p<0.001); decreased the serum level of IL-6 by 3.320 pg/mL (p<0.001); increased the total SOD serum level by 0.208 IU/mL (p=0.003); improved the EEG image (p=0.004); and decreased the seizure frequency at the end of the sixth week by 3.972 times (p<0.001), compared to the control. There is a significant effect on the use of supplementation of purple sweet potato extract in decreasing the serum level of 8-OHdG, decreasing the serum level of IL-6, increasing the total SOD serum level, improving the EEG image, decreasing the seizure frequency at the end of the sixth week, which at the end reducing the frequency of drugs resistant of focal epilepsy in children.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 2570-2579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert Leroux-Roels ◽  
Zourab Bebia ◽  
Cathy Maes ◽  
Annelies Aerssens ◽  
Fien De Boever ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Maternal immunization against group B streptococcus (GBS) could protect infants from invasive GBS disease. Additional doses in subsequent pregnancies may be needed. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a second dose of an investigational trivalent CRM197-glycoconjugate GBS vaccine (targeting serotypes Ia/Ib/III), administered to nonpregnant women 4–6 years postdose 1. Methods Healthy women either previously vaccinated with 1 dose of trivalent GBS vaccine 4–6 years before enrollment (n = 53) or never GBS vaccinated (n = 27) received a single trivalent GBS vaccine injection. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Serotype-specific (Ia/Ib/III) anti-GBS antibodies were measured by multiplex immunoassay prevaccination and 30/60 days postvaccination. Results AEs were reported with similar rates after a first or second dose; none were serious. Of previously GBS-vaccinated women, 92%–98% had anti-GBS concentrations that exceeded an arbitrary threshold (8 µg/mL) for each serotype 60 days postdose 2 vs 36%–56% postdose 1 in previously non–GBS-vaccinated women. Of previously GBS-vaccinated women with undetectable baseline (predose 1) anti-GBS levels, 90%–98% reached this threshold postdose 2. For each serotype, anti-GBS geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) 30/60 days postdose 2 in previously GBS-vaccinated women were ≥200-fold higher than baseline GMCs. Among women with undetectable baseline anti-GBS levels, postdose 2 GMCs in previously GBS-vaccinated women exceeded postdose 1 GMCs in previously non–GBS-vaccinated women (≥7-fold). Conclusions A second trivalent GBS vaccine dose administered 4–6 years postdose 1 was immunogenic with a favorable safety profile. Women with undetectable preexisting anti-GBS concentrations may benefit from a sufficiently spaced second vaccine dose. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02690181


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013056
Author(s):  
P. Emanuela Voinescu ◽  
Alexa N Ehlert ◽  
Camden P Bay ◽  
Stephanie Allien ◽  
Page B Pennell

Objective:To assess whether increased seizure frequency during pregnancy and post-partum is influenced by epilepsy type, seizure location, and antiseizure medications.Methods:Clinical data was collected in a longitudinal prospective database of pregnant women with epilepsy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Within each individual participant, baseline seizure frequency was calculated for the 9 months preconception, and it was determined if seizure frequency increased during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Seizure frequency was calculated for each 4-week interval during pregnancy. Generalized estimating equations for logistic regression were applied.Results:Ninety-nine patients contributing 114 pregnancies were included from 2013-2018. Increased seizure frequency occurred more often during pregnancies of women with focal versus generalized epilepsy (21.1% vs 5.3%, OR 4.70; 95% CI (1.00, 22.00); p = 0.0497). Among women with focal epilepsy, increased seizure frequency occurred more often in those with frontal lobe epilepsy (OR 8.00; 95 % CI (2.19, 29.21); p = 0.0017). There was no difference in seizure worsening in the postpartum period between focal and generalized (11.1% vs 9.1%, p=0.4478), or frontal and other focal (18.8% vs 6.0%; p=0.1478) epilepsy groups. Pregnancies on polytherapy had higher odds of seizure worsening compared to monotherapy (OR = 8.36, 95% CI = (2.07, 33.84), p = 0.0029), regardless of the medication or epilepsy type. A lack of preconception seizure freedom was also associated with increased seizure frequency during pregnancy (OR = 6.418; p = 0.0076).Conclusion:Women with focal epilepsy have higher likelihood of seizure worsening during pregnancy compared to women with generalized epilepsy; frontal lobe epilepsy poses an especially elevated risk. Polytherapy and lack of preconception seizure freedom are additional predictors for an increased likelihood of seizure worsening.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3482-3482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selim Corbacioglu ◽  
Enric Carreras ◽  
Dietger W Niederwieser ◽  
Marco Sardella ◽  
Margaret Hoyle ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3482 Introduction: Defibrotide (DF), a characterized mixture of polydisperse oligonucleotides, has endothelial protective properties with profibrinolytic, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive activity. The safety of DF injectable and oral formulations has been previously established in clinical trials including more than 9000 pts in the treatment of vascular diseases (eg peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis), with related adverse events (AE) reported in 2% of these pts. The protective endothelial effects of DF combined with its low toxicity profile led to investigation of its use in the treatment and prevention of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) in SCT pts. As pts undergoing SCT are likely to experience SCT-associated toxicities, it was difficult to assess the contribution of DF to observed toxicities in the initial single-arm trials. Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia and endothelial cell injury predispose SCT pts to hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. Bleeding is common in this population, particularly in pts with severe VOD (sVOD), characterized by multi-organ failure (MOF). We therefore undertook a comprehensive review of safety for DF in this setting. Methods and Results: To date, of 1824 SCT pts (pediatric: 737; adult: 1087) who received DF for the prevention or treatment of VOD/ sVOD, 104 (6%) experienced DF-related AEs. Of these 1824, 428 were enrolled in controlled clinical trials: one randomized phase 2 trial comparing 2 doses of DF and two phase 3 trials: one comparing the toxicity profile of DF to a historical control (HC) for the treatment of sVOD, the other to ‘no prophylaxis’ for the prevention of VOD in children. The phase 2 trial randomized 149 pts with sVOD/MOF to receive DF 25 or 40mg/kg/d (pediatric: 48; adult: 101). Both doses were well tolerated. DF-related AEs leading to treatment discontinuation (DC) occurred in 4% of pts: hemorrhage [gastrointestinal (GI), pulmonary, and diffuse alveolar], hypotension, and abdominal cramping. The percentage of pts with Grade 3–4 AEs was similar in both arms, however, pts randomized to 40 mg/kg/d were reported to have a higher incidence of all severity grade bleeding events than pts randomized to 25mg/kg/d (57% versus 46%). As efficacy parameters (CR rate; survival) were equal between the 2 dose groups, while the safety profile of the 25 mg/kg/day dose was slightly improved, the 25 mg/kg/d dose was chosen for future studies. In the phase 3 study, 102 pts with sVOD/MOF (pediatric: 44; adult: 58) treated with 25 mg/kg/d were compared with 32 matched HC pts. DF was generally well tolerated. DF-related AEs (possibly, probably, or definitely related) of Grade 3–5 severity occurred in 27 pts (26%). The following DF-related AEs led to DC of drug in 18 pts (18%): hemorrhage (pulmonary, GI, cerebral, catheter site, and hemorrhage, site not specified; hematochezia and epistaxis), headache, lethargy, hypotension, subdural hygroma, and TTP. Overall AEs, including hemorrhagic AEs, were similarly reported between the DF and control arms. The most frequent AEs were hypotension (39 vs 50%), diarrhea (25 vs 38%), vomiting (21 vs 28%), nausea (15 vs 34%) and pyrexia (15 vs 34%). The most common hemorrhages were epistaxis (13 vs 16%), pulmonary hemorrhage (12 vs 9%), catheter site hemorrhage (12 vs 3%) and hematuria (9 vs 16%). The phase 3 open-label study randomized pediatric pts to receive DF prophylaxis 25mg/kg/d (n=177) or control (n=176) from pre-SCT conditioning until Day+30 post SCT. Prophylactic DF was well tolerated, resulting in few related AEs (5%), including 1 GI hemorrhage which led to DF DC in 1 pt (<1%). AEs were reported at a similar incidence in the DF and control arms, including hemorrhage; the most common were hemorrhagic cystitis (11 vs 11%), GI hemorrhage (2 vs 4%), and epistaxis (2 vs 2%). Pts in both arms who reached the endpoint of VOD were treated with DF (25mg/kg/d); the incidence of DF related AEs in all pts treated for VOD was 14% (8/57). Conclusion: In the SCT population, DF-related AEs occurred with an increased incidence compared to other indications. The incidence was lowest in VOD prophylaxis pts and highest in pts with sVOD. In controlled SCT studies, DF was well tolerated, with AEs (including hemorrhage) reported with similar frequency to the control. These results indicate that DF can be used without increasing the risk of complications in this population of pts at high risk. Disclosures: Corbacioglu: Gentium: Consultancy, Research Funding. Carreras:Gentium: Consultancy. Niederwieser:Gentium: Honoraria. Sardella:Gentium: Employment. Hoyle:Gentium: Employment. Hume:Gentium: Employment. Massaro:Gentium: Consultancy. Hannah:Gentium: Consultancy. Iacobelli:Gentium: Employment. Richardson:Gentium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


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