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Laxer KD, Elder CJ, Di Gennaro G, Ferrari L, Krauss GL, Pellinen J, Rosenfeld WE, Villanueva V. Presurgical Use of Cenobamate for Adult and Pediatric Patients Referred for Epilepsy Surgery: Expert Panel Recommendations. Neurol Ther 2024:10.1007/s40120-024-00651-4. [PMID: 39154302 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00651-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cenobamate has demonstrated efficacy in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy, including patients who continued to have seizures after epilepsy surgery. This article provides recommendations for cenobamate use in patients referred for epilepsy surgery evaluation. A panel of six senior epileptologists from the United States and Europe with experience in presurgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy and in the use of antiseizure medications (ASMs) was convened to provide consensus recommendations for the use of cenobamate in patients referred for epilepsy surgery evaluation. Many patients referred for surgical evaluation may benefit from ASM optimization; both ASM and surgical treatment should be individualized. Based on previous clinical studies and the authors' clinical experience with cenobamate, a substantial proportion of patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy can become seizure-free with cenobamate. We recommend a cenobamate trial and ASM optimization in parallel with presurgical evaluations. Cenobamate can be started before phase two monitoring, especially in patients who are found to be suboptimal surgery candidates. As neurostimulation therapies are generally palliative, we recommend trying cenobamate before vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation, or responsive neurostimulation (RNS). In surgically remediable cases (mesial temporal sclerosis, benign discrete lesion in non-eloquent cortex, cavernous angioma, etc.), cenobamate use should not delay imminent surgery; however, a patient may decide to defer or even cancel surgery should they achieve sustained seizure freedom with cenobamate. This decision should be made on an individual, case-by-case basis based on seizure etiology, patient preferences, potential surgical risks (mortality and morbidity), and likely surgical outcome. The addition of cenobamate after unsuccessful surgery or palliative neuromodulation may also be associated with better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth D Laxer
- Sutter Pacific Epilepsy Program, California Pacific Medical Center, 1100 Van Ness Ave, 6th floor, San Francisco, CA, 94109, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Jacob Pellinen
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitari I Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Lattanzi S, Ranzato F, Di Bonaventura C, Bonanni P, Gambardella A, Tartara E, Assenza G, Procaccini M, Falsetto N, Villano V, Camattari G, Ori A, Di Gennaro G. Effectiveness and Safety of Adjunctive Cenobamate in People with Focal-Onset Epilepsy: Evidence from the First Interim Analysis of the BLESS Study. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:1203-1217. [PMID: 38850402 PMCID: PMC11263269 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00634-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite new anti-seizure medications (ASMs) being introduced into clinical practice, about one-third of people with epilepsy do not reach seizure control. Cenobamate is a novel tetrazole-derived carbamate compound with a dual mechanism of action. In randomized controlled trials, adjunctive cenobamate reduced the frequency of focal seizures in people with uncontrolled epilepsy. Studies performed in real-world settings are useful to complement this evidence and better characterize the drug profile. METHODS The Italian BLESS ("Cenobamate in Adults With Focal-Onset Seizures") study is an observational cohort study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of adjunctive cenobamate in adults with uncontrolled focal epilepsy in the context of real-world clinical practice. The study is ongoing and conducted at 50 centers in Italy. This first interim analysis includes participants enrolled until June 2023 and with 12-week outcome data available. RESULTS Forty participants with a median age of 36.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 26.0-47.5) years were included. The median monthly seizure frequency at baseline was 6.0 (IQR 2.5-17.3) seizures and 31 (77.5%) participants had failed four or more ASMs before cenobamate. At 12 weeks from starting cenobamate, the median reduction in monthly seizure frequency was 52.8% (IQR 27.1-80.3%); 22 (55.0%) participants had a ≥ 50% reduction in baseline seizure frequency and six (15.0%) reached seizure freedom. The median number of concomitant ASMs decreased from 3 (IQR 2-3) at baseline to 2 (IQR 2-3) at 12 weeks and the proportion of patients treated with > 2 concomitant ASMs decreased from 52.5% to 40.0%. Seven (17.5%) patients reported a total of 12 adverse events, 11 of which were considered adverse drug reactions to cenobamate. CONCLUSION In adults with uncontrolled focal seizures, the treatment with adjunctive cenobamate was well tolerated and was associated with improved seizure control and a reduction of the burden of concomitant ASMs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05859854 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier).
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Lattanzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Neurological Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Federica Ranzato
- Regional Adult Epilepsy Center, Neurology Unit, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Scientific Institute, Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | | | - Elena Tartara
- Epilepsy Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, ERN EpiCare Full Member, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Assenza
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Rodríguez‐Uranga JJ, Sánchez‐Caro JM, Hariramani Ramchandani R. Treatment simplification to optimize cenobamate effectiveness and tolerability: A real-world retrospective study in Spain. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:1345-1356. [PMID: 38800945 PMCID: PMC11296129 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the impact of co-antiseizure medication (co-ASM) optimization on the effectiveness and tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate (CNB) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in a real-world setting. METHODS This unicentric, retrospective, observational study included adults with focal-onset seizures who had received ≥2 previous ASMs. The main effectiveness endpoints included responder rates and seizure frequency reduction at 3, 6, and 12-month visits. The number of co-ASMs and defined daily dose (DDD) were analyzed at every visit. Safety endpoints included adverse drug reactions (ADRs). RESULTS Thirty-four patients with a median epilepsy duration of 22 years and a median of 15.5 seizures/month were analyzed. The median number of prior ASMs was 12, and the mean number of co-ASMs was 2.9 (SD 1). There was a reduction in seizure frequency/month from baseline to the last visit (p < 0.0001). Between baseline and the end of the study, the mean number of co-ASMs in the per-protocol (PP) population was reduced from 2.9 to 1.6 (p < 0.0001), and DDD was reduced from 3.6 to 1.4 (p < 0.0001). Sodium channel blockers (carbamazepine and lacosamide) and GABAergic drugs (clobazam) were the agents with the most significant reductions in DDD after 12 months. The percentage of patients in the PP population with ≥3 co-ASMs was reduced from 61.8% at baseline to 14.3% at 12 months; 1 patient was receiving CNB as monotherapy at the last visit. At the last visit, 85.7% of the PP population were ≥50% responders, and 33.3% were seizure-free. The percentage of patients with ADRs in the PP population was 71.9% at 3 months and 52.3% at 12 months. SIGNIFICANCE Following rational polytherapy, optimization of co-ASM management during CNB treatment allowed high seizure freedom rates despite meaningful reductions in co-medication, while also achieving both good tolerability and patient satisfaction scores in a highly drug-resistant population. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Many patients with epilepsy still have seizures, even after being treated with several different epilepsy drugs. In this study of 34 patients from a Spanish clinic, we show that the epilepsy drug cenobamate can reduce the number of seizures in these patients, even after many other epilepsy drugs have failed. We also show that patients treated with cenobamate can reduce the dose or even stop taking certain other epilepsy drugs. This allows them to simplify their treatment and reduce adverse effects while still keeping control of their epilepsy.
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O'Dwyer R, Stern S, Wade CT, Guggilam A, Rosenfeld WE. Safety and Efficacy of Cenobamate for the Treatment of Focal Seizures in Older Patients: Post Hoc Analysis of a Phase III, Multicenter, Open-Label Study. Drugs Aging 2024; 41:251-260. [PMID: 38446341 PMCID: PMC10925560 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-024-01102-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cenobamate is an antiseizure medication (ASM) approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of uncontrolled focal seizures. OBJECTIVE This post hoc analysis of a phase III, open-label safety study assessed the safety and efficacy of adjunctive cenobamate in older adults versus the overall study population. METHODS Adults aged 18-70 years with uncontrolled focal seizures taking stable doses of one to three ASMs were enrolled in the phase III, open-label safety study; adults aged 65-70 years from that study were included in our safety analysis. Discontinuations due to adverse events and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed throughout the study in all patients who received one or more doses of cenobamate (safety study population). Efficacy was assessed post hoc in patients who had adequate seizure data available (post hoc efficacy population); we assessed patients aged 65-70 years from that population. Overall, 100% responder rates were assessed in the post hoc efficacy maintenance-phase population in 3-month intervals. Concomitant ASM drug load changes were also measured. For each ASM, drug load was defined as the ratio of actual drug dose/day to the World Health Organization defined daily dose (DDD). RESULTS Of 1340 patients (mean age 39.7 years) in the safety study population, 42 were ≥ 65 years of age (mean age 67.0 years, 52.4% female). Median duration of exposure was 36.1 and 36.9 months for overall patients and older patients, respectively, and mean epilepsy duration was 22.9 and 38.5 years, respectively. At 1, 2, and 3 years, 80%, 72%, and 68% of patients overall, and 76%, 71%, and 69% of older patients, respectively, remained on cenobamate. Common TEAEs (≥ 20%) were somnolence and dizziness in overall patients, and somnolence, dizziness, fall, fatigue, balance disorder, and upper respiratory tract infection in older patients. Falls in older patients occurred after a mean 452.1 days of adjunctive cenobamate treatment (mean dose 262.5 mg/day; mean concomitant ASM drug load 2.46). Of 240 patients in the post hoc efficacy population, 18 were ≥ 65 years of age. Mean seizure frequency at baseline was 18.1 seizures/28 days for the efficacy population and 3.1 seizures/28 days for older patients. Rates of 100% seizure reduction within 3-month intervals during the maintenance phase increased over time for the overall population (n = 214) and older adults (n = 15), reaching 51.9% and 78.6%, respectively, by 24 months. Mean percentage change in concomitant ASM drug load, not including cenobamate, was reduced in the overall efficacy population (31.8%) and older patients (36.3%) after 24 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Results from this post hoc analysis showed notable rates of efficacy in older patients taking adjunctive cenobamate. Rates of several individual TEAEs occurred more frequently in older patients. Further reductions in concomitant ASMs may be needed in older patients when starting cenobamate to avoid adverse effects such as somnolence, dizziness, and falls. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02535091.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca O'Dwyer
- Epilepsy Section, Department of Neurological Sciences, Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic for Elderly, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 885, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | | | | | | | - William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Aboumatar S, Ferrari L, Stern S, Wade CT, Weingarten M, Connor GS, Rosenfeld WE. Reductions in concomitant antiseizure medication drug load during adjunctive cenobamate therapy: Post-hoc analysis of a subset of patients from a phase 3, multicenter, open-label study. Epilepsy Res 2024; 200:107306. [PMID: 38340681 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many patients with epilepsy require polytherapy, which increases their antiseizure medication (ASM) drug load, a measure that considers the doses of all ASMs a patient is taking. Changes in concomitant ASM drug load after adding cenobamate were evaluated post-hoc in a subset of the open-label, phase 3 study. METHODS Patients 18-70 years old with uncontrolled focal seizures taking 1-3 ASMs were enrolled. Total concomitant ASM drug load (not including cenobamate) was calculated by dividing the patient's prescribed dose for each ASM by its defined daily dose, per the World Health Organization, then summing the ratios. Changes in concomitant ASM drug load were measured from baseline in 3-month intervals up to 24 months by both total and class-specific ASM drug load. Subgroups of interest included: older adults (65-70 years), prior epilepsy-related surgery vs none, and baseline seizure frequency < 3 vs ≥ 3 seizures/28 days. RESULTS Data from 240 patients were available (mean age 41.8 years, mean baseline drug load 3.57). Following cenobamate initiation, the mean concomitant ASM drug load was reduced by 29.4 % at Month 12 % and 31.8 % at Month 24. Reductions occurred in all assessed ASM drug classes, with the largest reduction in benzodiazepines (55.2 % at Month 24). Each assessed subgroup exceeded a 30 % reduction in concomitant ASM drug load at Month 24. Over 24 months, maintenance of ≥ 50 % response occurred in 89.3 %, 86.4 %, and 90.6 % of patients with low (-0.25 to <0), moderate (-0.59 to -0.25), or high (-3.3 to -0.59) numerical reductions in concomitant ASM drug load from baseline, respectively, compared with 86.0 % in patients with no change in drug load; maintenance of 100 % response occurred in 80.7 %, 84.3 %, and 70.0 % of patients with low, moderate, or high numerical reductions in concomitant ASM drug load, compared with 82.0 % in patients with no change. CONCLUSIONS Adding cenobamate led to reduced mean concomitant ASM drug loads during 1 and 2 years of treatment. Reductions occurred regardless of ASM drug class, patient age, or epilepsy disease characteristics and did not impact maintenance of response rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Aboumatar
- Austin Epilepsy Care Center, 2200 Park Bend Drive, Building 2, Suite 203, Austin, TX 78758, USA.
| | - Louis Ferrari
- SK Life Science, Inc., 461 From Road, Fifth Floor, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA
| | - Sean Stern
- SK Life Science, Inc., 461 From Road, Fifth Floor, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA
| | - Clarence T Wade
- SK Life Science, Inc., 461 From Road, Fifth Floor, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA
| | - Mindl Weingarten
- SK Life Science, Inc., 461 From Road, Fifth Floor, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA
| | - Gregory S Connor
- Neurological Center of Oklahoma, 6585 South Yale Avenue, Suite 620, Tulsa, OK 74136, USA
| | - William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, 11134 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63131, USA
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Serrano-Castro PJ, Ramírez-García T, Cabezudo-Garcia P, Garcia-Martin G, De La Parra J. Effect of Cenobamate on Cognition in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy with Focal Onset Seizures: An Exploratory Study. CNS Drugs 2024; 38:141-151. [PMID: 38265735 PMCID: PMC10881647 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Most second and third generation antiseizure medications (ASMs) are associated with cognitive adverse events, which are a major concern for patients. However, the profile of cognitive adverse events differs between ASMs. This study investigated the effects of cenobamate on cognition in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) within the Spanish Expanded Access Program (EAP). METHODS This was a retrospective, observational study. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, DRE with focal seizures, and availability of cognition assessments and EAP authorization. Data were sourced from the clinical records of patients who took part in the Spanish cenobamate EAP. Primary endpoints included cognition (based on 20 neuropsychological outcomes, including verbal and visuospatial episodic memory, verbal fluency, executive function, working memory, attention, and speed of processing), seizure frequency, and concomitant antiseizure medication (ASM) usage at 6 months. RESULTS The study included 20 patients; 10 patients (50%) had daily seizures, 7 (35%) had weekly seizures and 3 (15%) had monthly seizures. The median number of prior antiseizure medications (ASMs) and concomitant ASMs were 10 and 3, respectively. Mean cenobamate doses were 12.5 mg/day at baseline and 191.2 mg/day at 6 months. There was a statistically significant improvement in cognitive scores between baseline and 6 months for two measures of verbal episodic memory (p = 0.0056 and p = 0.0013) and one measure of visuospatial episodic memory (p = 0.011), and a significant worsening in cognitive score for attention (p = 0.030). At 6 months, 14 patients (70%) had a ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency, 3 patients (15%) had a ≥ 90% reduction, and 1 patient (5%) was seizure free. There were significant decreases in the mean number of concomitant ASMs (p = 0.0009), the sum of the ratios of prescribing daily dose/daily defined dose (total ratio of DDD) for concomitant ASMs (p < 0.0001), and concomitant ASM drug load (p = 0.038) between baseline and 6 months. Total ratio of DDD was significantly lower at 6 months for perampanel (p = 0.0016), benzodiazepines (p = 0.035), and sodium channel blockers (p = 0.0005) compared with baseline. Based on analysis of covariance, cognitive tests related to verbal or visuospatial episodic memory (e.g., RT of FCSRT, or ROCFT), executive functions (e.g., TMT-B), and processing speed (some 5-Digit Test subtests) appeared to be closely related to the reduction in pharmacological burden rather than the improvement in seizure control. CONCLUSIONS Significant improvements in cognition, seizure frequency, and concomitant ASM usage were observed after the introduction of cenobamate in patients with DRE in a real-world setting. Covariance analysis supports the reduction in concomitant ASMs as the most important factor driving cognitive improvements with cenobamate. As this was an exploratory study with an uncontrolled, retrospective design and a low number of patients, further studies are required to confirm the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J Serrano-Castro
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma Bionand), Málaga, Spain.
- Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avenida Carlos Haya, S/N, Pabellon B, 4º Planta, CP: 24010, Málaga, Spain.
- Departamento de Medicina y Dermatología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
- Red Andaluza de Investigación Clínica y Traslacional (Neuro-RECA), Málaga, Spain.
| | - Teresa Ramírez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma Bionand), Málaga, Spain
- Red Andaluza de Investigación Clínica y Traslacional (Neuro-RECA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Pablo Cabezudo-Garcia
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma Bionand), Málaga, Spain
- Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avenida Carlos Haya, S/N, Pabellon B, 4º Planta, CP: 24010, Málaga, Spain
- Red Andaluza de Investigación Clínica y Traslacional (Neuro-RECA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Guillermina Garcia-Martin
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma Bionand), Málaga, Spain
- Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avenida Carlos Haya, S/N, Pabellon B, 4º Planta, CP: 24010, Málaga, Spain
- Red Andaluza de Investigación Clínica y Traslacional (Neuro-RECA), Málaga, Spain
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Pietrafusa N, Falcicchio G, Russo E, Lattanzi S, Goffredo B, Simeoli R, Cairoli S, Corsetti T, Roberti R, De Tommaso M, Vigevano F, La Neve A, Specchio N. Cenobamate as add-on therapy for drug resistant epilepsies: effectiveness, drug to drug interactions and neuropsychological impact. What have we learned from real word evidence? Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1239152. [PMID: 38186643 PMCID: PMC10768012 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1239152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Cenobamate (CNB) is an anti-seizure medication (ASM) approved in 2021 in Europe for adjunctive treatment of focal-onset seizures in adults who were not adequately controlled with at least two previous ASMs. Methods: seizure outcome, treatment-emergent adverse events, neuropsychological profile, and blood levels of CNB and concomitant ASM were analyzed in a real world setting in two different Italian epilepsy centers in the context of CNB early access program. All patients performed a general cognitive evaluation, while 32 patients underwent the administration of a battery of neuropsychological tests at baseline and 6 months after CNB treatment. We performed CNB quantification in plasma in 31 patients at different doses in the range of 100-400 mg/day (65 measures). Results: we enrolled 54 patients with a median age of 27.9 years. The mean follow-up was 10.7 months. Most (91%) completed the efficacy analysis. At last follow-up visit, a 69.5% median seizure reduction was registered. Thirty-two patients (59.2%) had a ≥50% reduction of seizures that was ≥75% in 20 (42.0%) cases, whilst 10 (20.2%) patients were seizure-free. The most common adverse events were somnolence (53.1%), dizziness (28.1%) and diplopia (12.5%). The correlation between CNB dose and plasma concentration, revealed a significant linear correlation (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001), and there was a significant difference in mean plasma concentration/dose administered ratio (C/D ratio) between patients taking or not at least one inducer (0.10 ± 0.04 [(μg/mL)/(mg/day)]; n = 47 vs. 0.13 ± 0.05 [(μg/mL)/(mg/day)]; n = 18, p = 0.04). CNB dose was inversely correlated (r = -0.31, p = 0.02) to the C/D ratio of Carbamazepine blood levels. and positively correlated (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001) with an increased plasma concentration of the active Clobazam metabolite N-desmethylclobazam. General Anxiety Disorder-7 showed a significant improvement of score from baseline evaluation of 6.82 to follow-up 6 months evaluation of 4.53 (p = 0.03). Conclusion: In this real-world study, we registered a clinically meaningful reduction in seizure frequency after CNB administration in most patients along with a good tolerability profile. CNB treatment is correlate to a reduction in symptom severity of anxiety score. Plasma levels measurements confirm that CNB acts both as "victim" and as "perpetrator" of drug-drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pietrafusa
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Falcicchio
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Bianca Goffredo
- Division of Metabolic Diseases and Drug Biology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Simeoli
- Division of Metabolic Diseases and Drug Biology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cairoli
- Division of Metabolic Diseases and Drug Biology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Corsetti
- Hospital Pharmacy Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Roberti
- Science of Health Department, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marina De Tommaso
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Vigevano
- Head of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine Scientific Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela La Neve
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Aungaroon G. Cenobamate: Real-World Experience Matches Clinical Trials. Epilepsy Curr 2023; 23:348-350. [PMID: 38269341 PMCID: PMC10805087 DOI: 10.1177/15357597231197105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Adjunctive Cenobamate in Highly Active and Ultra-Refractory Focal Epilepsy: A “Real-World” Retrospective Study Pena-Ceballos J, Moloney PB, Munteanu T, Doyle M, Colleran N, Liggan B, Breen A, Murphy S, El-Naggar H, Widdess-Walsh P, Delanty N. Epilepsia . 2023;64(5):1225-1235. doi:10.1111/epi.17549 Objective: Recent clinical trials have shown that cenobamate substantially improves seizure control in focal-onset drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). However, little is known about cenobamate’s performance in highly active (≥20 seizures/month) and ultra-refractory focal epilepsy (≥6 failed epilepsy treatments, including antiseizure medications [ASMs], epilepsy surgery, and vagus nerve stimulation). Here, we studied cenobamate’s efficacy and tolerability in a “real-world” severe DRE cohort. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive adults treated with cenobamate between October 2020 and September 2022. All patients received cenobamate through an Early Access Program. Cenobamate retention, seizure outcomes, treatment-emergent adverse events, and adjustments to concomitant ASMs were analyzed. Results: Fifty-seven patients received cenobamate for at least 3 months (median duration, 11 months). The median cenobamate dose was 250 mg/day (range 75–350 mg). Baseline demographics were consistent with highly active (median seizure frequency, 60/month) and ultra-refractory epilepsy (median previously failed ASMs, nine). Most (87.8%) had prior epilepsy surgery and/or vagus nerve stimulation. Six patients stopped cenobamate due to lack of efficacy and/or adverse events. One patient died from factors unrelated to cenobamate. Among patients who continued cenobamate, three achieved seizure freedom (5.3% of cohort), 24 had a 75%–99% reduction in seizures (42.1% of cohort), and 16 had a 50%–74% reduction (28.1% of cohort). Cenobamate led to abolition of focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures in 55.6% (20/36) of patients. Among treatment responders, 67.4% (29/43) were treated with cenobamate doses of ≥250 mg/day. Three-fourths of patients reported at least one side-effect, most commonly fatigue and somnolence. Adverse events most commonly emerged at cenobamate doses of ≥250 mg/day. Side-effects were partially manageable by reducing the overall ASM burden, most often clobazam, eslicarbazepine, and perampanel. Significance: Patients with highly active and ultra-refractory focal epilepsy experienced meaningful seizure outcomes on cenobamate. Emergence of adverse events at doses above 250 mg/day may limit the potential for further improvements in seizure control at higher cenobamate doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gewalin Aungaroon
- Department of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati
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Vossler DG, Rosenfeld WE, Stern S, Wade CT, Ferrari L, Kerr WT, Wechsler R. Sustainability of seizure reduction and seizure control with adjunctive cenobamate: Post hoc analysis of a phase 3, open-label study. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2644-2652. [PMID: 37497579 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this post hoc analysis of a subset of patients from a long-term, open-label phase 3 study, we assessed ≥50%, ≥75%, ≥90%, and 100% seizure reduction and sustainability of these responses with cenobamate using a time-to-event analytical approach. METHODS Of 240 patients with uncontrolled focal seizures who had adequate seizure data available, 214 completed the 12-week titration phase and received ≥1 dose of cenobamate in the maintenance phase (max dose 400 mg/day) and were included in this post hoc analysis. Among patients who met an initial given seizure-reduction level (≥50%, ≥75%, ≥90%, or 100%), sustainability of that response was measured using a time-to-event methodology. An event was defined as the occurrence of a study visit at which the seizure frequency during the interval since the prior study visit exceeded the initially attained reduction level. Study visits during the maintenance phase occurred at 3-month intervals. RESULTS Of the 214 patients analyzed, 188 (88%), 177 (83%), 160 (75%), and 145 (68%) met ≥50%, ≥75%, ≥90%, and 100% seizure-reduction responses, respectively, for at least one study visit interval during the maintenance phase. The median (95% confidence interval [CI]) time to first visit without a ≥50% seizure reduction was not reached by 30 months of follow-up (53% of patients maintained their initial ≥50% seizure reduction). Median (95% CI) time to first visit without sustaining the initial ≥75%, ≥90%, or 100% seizure reduction was 13.0 (7.5-21.9) months, 7.5 (5.4-11.6) months, and 7.0 (5.3-10.4) months, respectively. Among the 145 patients who had 100% seizure reduction during at least one study visit, 22% remained seizure-free for at least 30 months and 63% had ≤3 study visits with seizures. SIGNIFICANCE Adjunctive treatment with cenobamate led to sustained seizure reductions during the maintenance phase of the phase 3 safety study.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Vossler
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sean Stern
- SK Life Science Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - Wesley T Kerr
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert Wechsler
- Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology and Idaho Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Boise, Idaho, USA
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Villanueva V, Santos‐Carrasco D, Cabezudo‐García P, Gómez‐Ibáñez A, Garcés M, Serrano‐Castro P, Castro‐Vilanova MD, Sayas D, Lopez‐Gonzalez FJ, Rodríguez‐Osorio X, Torres‐Gaona G, Saiz‐Diaz RA, Hampel KG, Martinez‐Ferri M, Aguilar‐Amat MJ, Mercedes‐Alvarez B, García‐Morales V, del Villar‐Igea A, Massot‐Tarrús A, Rodríguez‐Uranga JJ. Real-world safety and effectiveness of cenobamate in patients with focal onset seizures: Outcomes from an Expanded Access Program. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:918-929. [PMID: 37149853 PMCID: PMC10472366 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated early, real-world outcomes with cenobamate (CNB) in a large series of patients with highly drug-resistant epilepsy within a Spanish Expanded Access Program (EAP). METHOD This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study in 14 hospitals. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, focal seizures, and EAP authorization. Data were sourced from patient clinical records. Primary effectiveness endpoints included reductions (100%, ≥90%, ≥75%, and ≥50%) or worsening in seizure frequency at 3-, 6-, and 12-month visits and at the last visit. Safety endpoints included rates of adverse events (AEs) and AEs leading to discontinuation. RESULTS The study included 170 patients. At baseline, median epilepsy duration was 26 years and median number of seizures/month was 11.3. The median number of prior antiseizure medications (ASMs) and concomitant ASMs were 12 and 3, respectively. Mean CNB dosages/day were 176 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg at 3, 6, and 12 months. Retention rates were 98.2%, 94.5%, and 87% at 3, 6, and 12 months. At last available visit, the rate of seizure freedom was 13.3%; ≥90%, ≥75%, and ≥50% responder rates were 27.9%, 45.5%, and 63%, respectively. There was a significant reduction in the number of seizures per month (mean: 44.6%; median: 66.7%) between baseline and the last visit (P < 0.001). Responses were maintained regardless of the number of prior or concomitant ASMs. The number of concomitant ASMs was reduced in 44.7% of patients. The cumulative percentage of patients with AEs and AEs leading to discontinuation were 68.2% and 3.5% at 3 months, 74.1% and 4.1% at 6 months, and 74.1% and 4.1% at 12 months. The most frequent AEs were somnolence and dizziness. SIGNIFICANCE In this highly refractory population, CNB showed a high response regardless of prior and concomitant ASMs. AEs were frequent but mostly mild-to-moderate, and few led to discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | - Daniel Santos‐Carrasco
- Centro Neurología AvanzadaSevillaSpain
- Departamento de Psicología ExperimentalUniversidad de SevillaSevillaSpain
| | | | | | - Mercedes Garcés
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | | | | | - Débora Sayas
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | | | | | | | | | - Kevin G. Hampel
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | | | - Maria J. Aguilar‐Amat
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz—IdiPAZMadridSpain
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Perucca E, Bialer M, White HS. New GABA-Targeting Therapies for the Treatment of Seizures and Epilepsy: I. Role of GABA as a Modulator of Seizure Activity and Recently Approved Medications Acting on the GABA System. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:755-779. [PMID: 37603262 PMCID: PMC10501955 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain and has been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis or the expression of many neurological diseases, including epilepsy. Although GABA can act on different receptor subtypes, the component of the GABA system that is most critical to modulation of seizure activity is the GABAA-receptor-chloride (Cl-) channel complex, which controls the movement of Cl- ions across the neuronal membrane. In the mature brain, binding of GABA to GABAA receptors evokes a hyperpolarising (anticonvulsant) response, which is mediated by influx of Cl- into the cell driven by its concentration gradient between extracellular and intracellular fluid. However, in the immature brain and under certain pathological conditions, GABA can exert a paradoxical depolarising (proconvulsant) effect as a result of an efflux of chloride from high intracellular to lower extracellular Cl- levels. Extensive preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that alterations in GABAergic inhibition caused by drugs, toxins, gene defects or other disease states (including seizures themselves) play a causative or contributing role in facilitating or maintaning seizure activity. Conversely, enhancement of GABAergic transmission through pharmacological modulation of the GABA system is a major mechanism by which different antiseizure medications exert their therapeutic effect. In this article, we review the pharmacology and function of the GABA system and its perturbation in seizure disorders, and highlight how improved understanding of this system offers opportunities to develop more efficacious and better tolerated antiseizure medications. We also review the available data for the two most recently approved antiseizure medications that act, at least in part, through GABAergic mechanisms, namely cenobamate and ganaxolone. Differences in the mode of drug discovery, pharmacological profile, pharmacokinetic properties, drug-drug interaction potential, and clinical efficacy and tolerability of these agents are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Melbourne Brain Centre, 245 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
| | - Meir Bialer
- Institute of Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- David R. Bloom Center for Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Rosenfeld WE, Ferrari L, Kerr WT, Sperling MR. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy during cenobamate clinical development. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2108-2115. [PMID: 37219391 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed mortality, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) among adults treated with cenobamate during the cenobamate clinical development program. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed deaths among all adults with uncontrolled focal (focal to bilateral tonic-clonic [FBTC], focal impaired awareness, focal aware) or primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures who received ≥1 dose of adjunctive cenobamate in completed and ongoing phase 2 and 3 clinical studies. In patients with focal seizures from completed studies, median baseline seizure frequencies ranged from 2.8 to 11 seizures per 28 days and median epilepsy duration ranged from 20 to 24 years. Total person-years included all days that a patient received cenobamate during completed studies or up to June 1, 2022, for ongoing studies. All deaths were evaluated by two epileptologists. All-cause mortality and SUDEP rates were expressed per 1000 person-years. RESULTS A total of 2132 patients (n = 2018 focal epilepsy; n = 114 idiopathic generalized epilepsy) were exposed to cenobamate for 5693 person-years. Approximately 60% of patients with focal seizures and all patients in the PGTC study had tonic-clonic seizures. A total of 23 deaths occurred (all in patients with focal epilepsy), for an all-cause mortality rate of 4.0 per 1000 person-years. Five cases of definite or probable SUDEP were identified, for a rate of .88 per 1000 person-years. Of the 23 overall deaths, 22 patients (96%) had FBTC seizures, and all 5 of the SUDEP patients had a history of FBTC seizures. The duration of exposure to cenobamate for patients with SUDEP ranged from 130 to 620 days. The SMR among cenobamate-treated patients in completed studies (5515 person-years of follow-up) was 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] .84-2.0), which was not significantly different from the general population. SIGNIFICANCE These data suggest that effective long-term medical treatment with cenobamate may reduce excess mortality associated with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Wesley T Kerr
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael R Sperling
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Rissardo JP, Fornari Caprara AL. Cenobamate (YKP3089) and Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Review of the Literature. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1389. [PMID: 37629678 PMCID: PMC10456719 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59081389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Cenobamate (CNB), ([(R)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)ethyl], is a novel tetrazole alkyl carbamate derivative. In November 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved Xcopri®, marketed by SK Life Science Inc., (Paramus, NJ, USA) for adult focal seizures. The European Medicines Agency approved Ontozry® by Arvelle Therapeutics Netherlands B.V.(Amsterdam, The Neatherlands) in March 2021. Cenobamate is a medication that could potentially change the perspectives regarding the management and prognosis of refractory epilepsy. In this way, this study aims to review the literature on CNB's pharmacological properties, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety. CNB is a highly effective drug in managing focal onset seizures, with more than twenty percent of individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy achieving seizure freedom. This finding is remarkable in the antiseizure medication literature. The mechanism of action of CNB is still poorly understood, but it is associated with transient and persistent sodium currents and GABAergic neurotransmission. In animal studies, CNB showed sustained efficacy and potency in the 6 Hz test regardless of the stimulus intensity. CNB was revealed to be the most cost-effective drug among different third-generation antiseizure medications. Also, CNB could have neuroprotective effects. However, there are still concerns regarding its potential for abuse and suicidality risk, which future studies should clearly assess, after which protocols should be changed. The major drawback of CNB therapy is the slow and complex titration and maintenance phases preventing the wide use of this new agent in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamir Pitton Rissardo
- Medicine Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil;
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Klein P, Krauss GL, Steinhoff BJ, Devinsky O, Sperling MR. Failure to use new breakthrough treatments for epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:1458-1465. [PMID: 36855241 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the approval of ~20 additional antiseizure medications (ASMs) since the 1980s, one-third of epilepsy patients experience seizures despite therapy. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is associated with cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities, socioeconomic impairment, injuries, and a 9.3-13.4 times higher mortality rate than in seizure-free patients. Improved seizure control can reduce morbidity and mortality. Two new ASMs were launched in the United States in 2020: cenobamate for focal epilepsy in adults and fenfluramine for Dravet syndrome (DS). They offer markedly improved efficacy. Cenobamate achieved 21% seizure freedom with the highest dose and decreased tonic-clonic seizures by 93% during maintenance treatment in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). In long-term, open-label studies, 10%-36% of patients were seizure-free for a median duration of ~30-45 months. Fenfluramine treatment in DS reduced convulsive seizure frequency by 56% over placebo at the highest dose, with 8% of patients free of convulsive seizures, and 25% with only one convulsive seizure over 14 weeks. These results were sustained for up to 3 years in open-label extension studies. Mortality was reduced 5-fold. These results are superior to all other approved ASMs, placing these two drugs among the most effective antiseizure therapies. The adverse event profiles resemble those of other ASMs. Despite greater efficacy and similar toxicity, these medications are infrequently used. Two years after US market entry, < 5% of either adults with focal DRE or patients with DS were treated with either cenobamate or fenfluramine. We believe this is a failure of our medical system, resulting from limited knowledge about these drugs stemming partly from the separation of academia from industry; restrictions to access created by health care payors, hospitals, and regulatory agencies; and insufficient post-launch information about the efficacy and safety of these ASMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory L Krauss
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernhard J Steinhoff
- Epilepsiezentrum Kork, Kehl-Kork, Germany and Medical Faculty, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- NYU Langone School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael R Sperling
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Peña-Ceballos J, Moloney PB, Munteanu T, Doyle M, Colleran N, Liggan B, Breen A, Murphy S, El-Naggar H, Widdess-Walsh P, Delanty N. Adjunctive cenobamate in highly active and ultra-refractory focal epilepsy: A "real-world" retrospective study. Epilepsia 2023; 64:1225-1235. [PMID: 36790345 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent clinical trials have shown that cenobamate substantially improves seizure control in focal-onset drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). However, little is known about cenobamate's performance in highly active (≥20 seizures/month) and ultra-refractory focal epilepsy (≥6 failed epilepsy treatments, including antiseizure medications [ASMs], epilepsy surgery, and vagus nerve stimulation). Here, we studied cenobamate's efficacy and tolerability in a "real-world" severe DRE cohort. METHODS We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive adults treated with cenobamate between October 2020 and September 2022. All patients received cenobamate through an Early Access Program. Cenobamate retention, seizure outcomes, treatment-emergent adverse events, and adjustments to concomitant ASMs were analyzed. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients received cenobamate for at least 3 months (median duration, 11 months). The median cenobamate dose was 250 mg/day (range 75-350 mg). Baseline demographics were consistent with highly active (median seizure frequency, 60/month) and ultra-refractory epilepsy (median previously failed ASMs, nine). Most (87.8%) had prior epilepsy surgery and/or vagus nerve stimulation. Six patients stopped cenobamate due to lack of efficacy and/or adverse events. One patient died from factors unrelated to cenobamate. Among patients who continued cenobamate, three achieved seizure freedom (5.3% of cohort), 24 had a 75%-99% reduction in seizures (42.1% of cohort), and 16 had a 50%-74% reduction (28.1% of cohort). Cenobamate led to abolition of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures in 55.6% (20/36) of patients. Among treatment responders, 67.4% (29/43) were treated with cenobamate doses of ≥250 mg/day. Three-fourths of patients reported at least one side-effect, most commonly fatigue and somnolence. Adverse events most commonly emerged at cenobamate doses of ≥250 mg/day. Side-effects were partially manageable by reducing the overall ASM burden, most often clobazam, eslicarbazepine, and perampanel. SIGNIFICANCE Patients with highly active and ultra-refractory focal epilepsy experienced meaningful seizure outcomes on cenobamate. Emergence of adverse events at doses above 250 mg/day may limit the potential for further improvements in seizure control at higher cenobamate doses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick B Moloney
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- FutureNeuro, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tudor Munteanu
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Doyle
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- FutureNeuro, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh Colleran
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brenda Liggan
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Annette Breen
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinead Murphy
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hany El-Naggar
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Norman Delanty
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- FutureNeuro, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Dublin, Ireland
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Osborn M, Abou-Khalil B. The cenobamate-clobazam interaction- evidence of synergy in addition to pharmacokinetic interaction. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 142:109156. [PMID: 37037060 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Report insights into the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between cenobamate (CNB) and clobazam (CLB), derived from data in patients enrolled at our center in a global multicenter open-label safety study of CNB. MATERIALS & METHODS Patients in this study either took CLB at baseline (n = 6) or had CLB added after CNB titration to maximal dose (n = 5) in addition to other antiseizure medications. Clobazam was always administered as a single bedtime dose. Random serum concentrations of CLB and N-desmethylclobazam (N-CLB) were obtained. RESULTS Baseline daily CLB doses were 20-50 mg. Sedation began in the six baseline CLB patients at CNB doses of 25-100 mg. The N-CLB/ CLB ratio increased proportionally to the CNB dose. CLB was stopped in all six patients, five of whom were ≥50% responders. Seizure control deteriorated after stopping CLB, with only one remaining responder. Clobazam was restarted at 5 mg/d in five of the six patients. At the last follow-up, four of these patients were continuing CLB; two were seizure-free and 2 were ≥50% responders. Among the five patients that added 5 mg/d CLB de novo, three were responders. All patients were still on CNB at the end of the study. DISCUSSION Data suggest starting CLB dose reduction at CNB doses of 25-100 mg/d. Due to possible synergy, the addition of low-dose CLB could be considered in patients with incomplete response to CNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Osborn
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, A0118 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Bassel Abou-Khalil
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, A0118 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epilepsy affects 70 million people worldwide and is a significant cause of morbidity and early mortality. The mainstay of therapy is oral medications. Epilepsy drug development is escalating, driven by continued drug resistance in up to a third of epilepsy patients. Treatment development now focuses on discovery of novel mechanisms of action and syndrome-specific therapies. RECENT FINDINGS Difficult-to-treat epilepsy related to conditions including tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS) have been the target of recent developments. Disease-modifying therapy for epilepsy related to TSC with vigabatrin at onset of first electroencephalographic epileptiform changes, rather than after first clinical seizure, has demonstrated strongly positive seizure and developmental outcomes. Fenfluramine, approved for DS and, more recently, LGS, has robust data supporting efficacy, safety/tolerability, as well as mortality, quality of life and cognitive function. Rescue therapy has expanded to include better tolerated benzodiazepines in the form of nasal midazolam and valium. Cenobamate, a first-in-class inactivator of the persistent voltage-gated sodium channel and approved for adult partial onset epilepsy, has exceptional efficacy and tolerability and will be expanded to children and to generalized onset epilepsy in adults. SUMMARY The repertoire of available and developmental therapies for epilepsy is rapidly expanding, and now includes disease-modifying vigabatrin in TSC and agents with extraordinary efficacy, fenfluramine and cenobamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda W Pong
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Mid-Atlantic Neurological Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Aboumatar S, Biton V, Wechsler R, Ferrari L, Rosenfeld WE. Post hoc analysis of a phase 3 study for treatment of uncontrolled focal seizures: Adjunctive cenobamate dose and seizure reduction by baseline seizure frequency. Epilepsy Res 2022; 186:107014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.107014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Efficacy of cenobamate for uncontrolled focal seizures in patients with previous epilepsy-related surgery: Post hoc analysis of a phase 3, multicenter, open-label study. Epilepsy Res 2022; 184:106952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Makridis KL, Bast T, Prager C, Kovacevic-Preradovic T, Bittigau P, Mayer T, Breuer E, Kaindl AM. Real-World Experience Treating Pediatric Epilepsy Patients With Cenobamate. Front Neurol 2022; 13:950171. [PMID: 35937072 PMCID: PMC9350548 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.950171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In one third of all patients with epilepsy, seizure freedom is not achieved through anti-seizure medication (ASM). These patients have an increased risk of earlier death, poorer cognitive development, and reduced quality of life. Cenobamate (CNB) has recently been approved as a promising novel ASM drug for the treatment of adults with focal-onset epilepsy. However, there is little experience for its application in pediatric patients. Methods In a multicenter study we evaluated retrospectively the outcome of 16 pediatric patients treated “off label” with CNB. Results In 16 patients with a mean age of 15.38 years, CNB was started at an age of 15.05 years due to DRE. Prior to initiation of therapy, an average of 10.56 (range 3–20) ASM were prescribed. At initiation, patients were taking 2.63 (range 1–4) ASM. CNB was increased by 0.47 ± 0.27mg/kg/d every 2 weeks with a mean maximum dosage of 3.1 mg/kg/d (range 0.89–7) and total daily dose of 182.81 mg (range 50–400 mg). Seizure freedom was achieved in 31.3% and a significant seizure reduction of >50% in 37.5%. Adverse events occurred in 10 patients with fatigue/somnolence as the most common. CNB is taken with high adherence in all but three patients with a median follow-up of 168.5 days Conclusion Cenobamate is an effective ASM for pediatric patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy. In addition to excellent seizure reduction or freedom, it is well-tolerated. Cenobamate should be considered as a novel treatment for DRE in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin L. Makridis
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Chronically Sick Children, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Cell- and Neurobiology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Bast
- Epilepsiezentrum Kork, Diakonie Kork, Kehl, Germany
| | - Christine Prager
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Chronically Sick Children, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Petra Bittigau
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Chronically Sick Children, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsiezentrum Kleinwachau gemeinnützige GmbH, Radeberg, Germany
| | - Eva Breuer
- Epilepsie-Zentrum Berlin-Brandenburg, Ev. Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth Herzberge, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela M. Kaindl
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Chronically Sick Children, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Cell- and Neurobiology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Angela M. Kaindl
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21
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Cohen NT, Bahar B, Conry JA, Schreiber JM. Variability in Serum Concentrations and Clinical Response in Artisanal Versus Pharmaceutical Cannabidiol Treatment of Pediatric Pharmacoresistant Epilepsy. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2022; 27:558-563. [DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-27.6.558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that serum cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations would be higher in patients taking pharmaceutical- versus artisanal-CBD oil, and higher serum CBD concentrations would correlate with increased side effects and decreased seizure frequency.
METHODS
This was a retrospective chart review. We included patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, treated with artisanal-CBD or pharmaceutical-CBD (Epidiolex), and with quantitative serum CBD concentrations. We tracked epilepsy diagnosis, artisanal-CBD dosage, pharmaceutical-CBD dose, serum CBD concentration, clobazam concentration, N-desmethylclobazam concentration, seizure history (frequency of motor seizures), response to medication (percentage reduction in motor seizures), and side effects.
RESULTS
Forty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Mean serum CBD concentration was 51.1 ng/mL (artisanal group) and 124 ng/mL (pharmaceutical group) (p = 0.022). Patients receiving artisanal-CBD had no change in median overall seizures (IQR, −50% to 50%); the pharmaceutical-CBD group had median 50% reduction (IQR, −90% to no change) (p = 0.199).
CONCLUSIONS
Pharmaceutical-CBD achieves higher serum CBD concentrations than artisanal-CBD in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy. These higher CBD concentrations are associated with increased reported adverse effects, but no detectable difference in seizure frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan T. Cohen
- Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program (NTC, JAC, JMS), Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Burak Bahar
- Division of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (BB), Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Joan A. Conry
- Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program (NTC, JAC, JMS), Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - John M. Schreiber
- Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program (NTC, JAC, JMS), Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
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22
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Steinhoff BJ, Ben-Menachem E, Brandt C, García Morales I, Rosenfeld WE, Santamarina E, Serratosa JM. Onset of efficacy and adverse events during Cenobamate titration period. Acta Neurol Scand 2022; 146:265-275. [PMID: 35711112 PMCID: PMC9545218 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cenobamate is an antiseizure medication (ASM) approved in Europe as adjunctive therapy for adults with inadequately controlled focal seizures. This post hoc analysis reports onset of efficacy and characterizes time to onset, duration, and severity of the most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) during cenobamate titration. MATERIALS & METHODS Adult patients with uncontrolled focal seizures taking 1 to 3 concomitant ASMs were randomized to receive adjunctive cenobamate or placebo (double-blind studies C013 and C017) or cenobamate (open-label study C021). Outcome assessments included efficacy (median percentage change in seizure frequency and onset [studies C013 and C017]) and safety (onset, duration, and severity of TEAEs [all studies]). RESULTS Onset of efficacy was observed by Weeks 1 to 4 of titration in studies C013 and C017 which used a faster titration schedule than study CO21. In study C013, the median percentage seizure frequency reduction was 36.7% in patients receiving cenobamate versus 16.3% in those taking placebo (p = .002); in study C017, significant differences in seizure frequency emerged in Week 1 and continued throughout titration between all cenobamate groups and placebo (p < .001). The most commonly reported TEAEs were somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, and headache, with first onset of each reported as early as Week 1; however, the majority resolved. CONCLUSIONS Reductions in seizure frequency occurred during titration with initial efficacy observed prior to reaching the target dose. These reductions were regarded as clinically meaningful because they may indicate early efficacy at lower doses than previously expected and had a considerable impact on patient quality of life. Long-term treatment with adjunctive cenobamate was generally safe and well-tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard J Steinhoff
- Department for Adults, Kork Epilepsy Center, Kehl-Kork, Germany.,Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elinor Ben-Menachem
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christian Brandt
- Department of General Epileptology, Bethel Epilepsy Centre, Mara Hospital, University Hospital for Epileptology, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Irene García Morales
- Servicio de Neurología, Programa de Epilepsia, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
| | - William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Estevo Santamarina
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José M Serratosa
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Efficacy of cenobamate by focal seizure subtypes: Post-hoc analysis of a phase 3, multicenter, open-label study. Epilepsy Res 2022; 183:106940. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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24
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Connor GS, Williamson A. Effectiveness and safety of adjunctive cenobamate for focal seizures in adults with developmental disability treated in clinical practice. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2022; 18:100533. [PMID: 35345772 PMCID: PMC8956884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2022.100533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
92.9% (26/28 patients) continued cenobamate through 6 months, showing high retention. High responder rates/substantial focal seizure reduction occurred with cenobamate. 100% seizure reduction occurred in 48.2% of patients at 6 months. Adverse effects were often mitigated by concomitant antiseizure medication reduction.
Effectiveness and tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate for uncontrolled focal seizures in adults living with a developmental disability are not defined. Retrospective medical record review included adults ≥18 years old living with a developmental disability, either in a group home or with parents, and experiencing uncontrolled focal seizures despite stable doses of ≥1 antiseizure medication (ASM). Effectiveness was examined as percentage change in focal seizure frequency per month from the 2-month average before cenobamate to the average of months 5 and 6 while receiving cenobamate. Percentages of patients achieving responder rates in focal seizure frequency at 6 months of cenobamate treatment were examined. Adverse effects and concomitant ASM dosage adjustments were assessed. Of the 28 included patients, 26 (92.9%) continued cenobamate beyond 6 months. The responder rate of 100% seizure reduction (seizure-free) occurred in 48.2% of the patients who continued cenobamate for 6 months. Ten adverse effects were reported in 9 patients (32.1%), and 80% (8/10) were resolved by reducing concomitant ASM dosages. Two patients (7.1%) discontinued cenobamate due to adverse effects. Cenobamate resulted in substantial reduction in focal seizure frequency and was well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S. Connor
- Neurological Center of Oklahoma, 6585 South Yale Avenue, Suite 620, Tulsa, OK 74136, United States
- Corresponding author at: Neurological Center of Oklahoma, PLC, 6585 South Yale Avenue, Suite 620, Tulsa, OK 74136, United States.
| | - Amanda Williamson
- SK Life Science, Inc., 461 From Road, Fifth Floor, Paramus, NJ 07652, United States
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25
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Rosenfeld WE, Abou-Khalil B, Aboumatar S, Bhatia P, Biton V, Krauss GL, Sperling MR, Vossler DG, Klein P, Wechsler R. Post hoc analysis of a phase 3, multicenter, open-label study of cenobamate for treatment of uncontrolled focal seizures: Effects of dose adjustments of concomitant antiseizure medications. Epilepsia 2021; 62:3016-3028. [PMID: 34633074 PMCID: PMC9292883 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Objective To report post hoc results on how adjustments to baseline antiseizure medications (ASMs) in a subset of study sites (10 US sites) from a long‐term, open‐label phase 3 study of adjunctive cenobamate affected tolerability, efficacy, and retention. Methods Patients with uncontrolled focal seizures taking stable doses of one to three ASMs were administered increasing doses of cenobamate (12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/day) over 12 weeks at 2‐week intervals (target dose = 200 mg/day). Further increases to 400 mg/day by 50 mg/day biweekly increments were allowed during maintenance phase. Dose adjustments of cenobamate and concomitant ASMs were allowed. Data were assessed until last visit, at data cut‐off, on or after September 1, 2019. Results A total of 240 patients meeting eligibility criteria were assessed (median [max] exposure 30.2 [43.0] months), with 177 patients continuing cenobamate at data cut‐off. Most common baseline concomitant ASMs were lacosamide, levetiracetam, lamotrigine, zonisamide, and clobazam. For most baseline concomitant ASMs, ~70% of patients taking that ASM were continuing cenobamate at data cut‐off. Patients continuing cenobamate had greater mean ASM dose reductions and percent dose changes from baseline vs those who discontinued. Of patients continuing cenobamate, 24.6% discontinued one or more concomitant ASMs completely. Dose decreases for all concomitant ASMs generally occurred during titration or early maintenance phases and were mostly due to central nervous system (CNS)–related adverse events such as somnolence, dizziness, unsteady gait, and fatigue. Responder rates from ≥50% through 100% for patients continuing cenobamate were generally similar regardless of concomitant ASMs (of those most commonly taken), with ~81% being ≥50% responders and ~12% achieving 100% seizure reduction in the maintenance phase, which lasted up to 40.2 (median = 29.5) months. Significance Concomitant ASM dose reductions were associated with more patients remaining on cenobamate. This is likely due to efficacy and improved tolerability, with overall reduced concomitant drug burden in patients with uncontrolled seizures despite taking one to three baseline concomitant ASMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | | | | | - Victor Biton
- Arkansas Epilepsy Program, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Gregory L Krauss
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - David G Vossler
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Wechsler
- Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology, PLLC, Boise, Idaho, USA.,Idaho Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Boise, Idaho, USA
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