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Avila EK, Tobochnik S, Inati SK, Koekkoek JAF, McKhann GM, Riviello JJ, Rudà R, Schiff D, Tatum WO, Templer JW, Weller M, Wen PY. Brain tumor-related epilepsy management: A Society for Neuro-oncology (SNO) consensus review on current management. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:7-24. [PMID: 37699031 PMCID: PMC10768995 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad154] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-related epilepsy (TRE) is a frequent and major consequence of brain tumors. Management of TRE is required throughout the course of disease and a deep understanding of diagnosis and treatment is key to improving quality of life. Gross total resection is favored from both an oncologic and epilepsy perspective. Shared mechanisms of tumor growth and epilepsy exist, and emerging data will provide better targeted therapy options. Initial treatment with antiseizure medications (ASM) in conjunction with surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy is typical. The first choice of ASM is critical to optimize seizure control and tolerability considering the effects of the tumor itself. These agents carry a potential for drug-drug interactions and therefore knowledge of mechanisms of action and interactions is needed. A review of adverse effects is necessary to guide ASM adjustments and decision-making. This review highlights the essential aspects of diagnosis and treatment of TRE with ASMs, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy while indicating areas of uncertainty. Future studies should consider the use of a standardized method of seizure tracking and incorporating seizure outcomes as a primary endpoint of tumor treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward K Avila
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Steven Tobochnik
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara K Inati
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Johan A F Koekkoek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Guy M McKhann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - James J Riviello
- Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Roberta Rudà
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” University of Turin, Italy
| | - David Schiff
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - William O Tatum
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jessica W Templer
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Centre, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Y Wen
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, and Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Vacher E, Rodriguez Ruiz M, Rees JH. Management of brain tumour related epilepsy (BTRE): a narrative review and therapy recommendations. Br J Neurosurg 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36694327 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2023.2170326] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Brain Tumour Related Epilepsy (BTRE) has a significant impact on Quality of Life with implications for driving, employment, and social activities. Management of BTRE is complex due to the higher incidence of drug resistance and the potential for interaction between anti-cancer therapy and anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists, palliative care physicians and clinical nurse specialists treating these patients would benefit from up-to-date clinical guidelines. We aim to review the current literature and to outline specific recommendations for the optimal treatment of BTRE, encompassing both Primary Brain Tumours (PBT) and Brain Metastases (BM). A comprehensive search of the literature since 1995 on BTRE was carried out in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMCARE. A broad search strategy was used, and the evidence evaluated and graded based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Seizure frequency varies between 10 and 40% in patients with Brain Metastases (BM) and from 30% (high-grade gliomas) to 90% (low-grade gliomas) in patients with PBT. In patients with BM, risk factors include number of BM and melanoma histology. In patients with PBT, BTRE is more common in patients with lower grade histology, frontal and temporal tumours, presence of an IDH mutation and cortical infiltration. All patients with BTRE should be treated with ASMs. Non-enzyme inducing ASMs are recommended as first line treatment for BTRE, but up to 50% of patients with BTRE due to PBT remain resistant. There is no proven benefit for the use of prophylactic ASMs, although there are no randomised trials testing newer agents. Surgical and oncological treatments i.e. radiotherapy and chemotherapy improve BTRE. Vagus Nerve Stimulation has been used with partial success. The review highlights the relative dearth of high-quality evidence for the management of BTRE and provides a framework for further studies aiming to improve seizure control, quality of life, and indications for ASMs.KEY POINTSOffer levetiracetam or lamotrigine to all patients with primary or metastatic brain tumours who have seizure(s), irrespective of whether these are partial or generalised.ASM withdrawal for patients in remission is not recommended due to high rates of seizure recurrence.ASM prophylaxis is not generally recommended in the management of seizure-naïve patients.Both levetiracetam and lamotrigine are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Vacher
- UCL Medical School, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Jeremy H Rees
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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Al-Gethami H, AlShahrani A, Aldosari M, AlHameed M. Efficacy of VNS for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Structural Brain Lesions. Open Neurol J 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1874205x02014010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention. In fact, it was approved by the US FDA in 1997 as an adjunctive treatment for medically intractable epilepsy.
Objective:
In this study, we investigated the efficacy of VNS in drug-resistant epilepsy associated with structural brain lesions (SBLs).
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the effect of VNS on 25 patients diagnosed with intractable epilepsy-associated SBL, and compared the results to 19 patients with intractable epilepsy and normal neuroimaging. All patients underwent VNS insertion at the National Neurosciences Institute, King Fahad Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) between 2008 and 2018.
Results:
The response rate (RR) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy-associated SBL was 24% after 3 months, 36% after 6 months, and 48% after 1 year, reaching 76% over time. The mean follow-up period was 63.3 months. For non-SBL patients, the RR was 10.5% after 3 months, 36.8% after 6 months, and 47.4% after 1 year, reaching 73.7% over time. The mean follow-up period was 59.2 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding RR, VNS settings, and other parameters, including anti-epileptic drug use and demographics data.
Conclusion:
VNS is strongly considered for intractable epilepsy in SBL patients, especially if they are not candidates for surgical intervention. Over time, those patients will receive increased benefits from VNS therapy.
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Gonzalez Castro LN, Milligan TA. Seizures in patients with cancer. Cancer 2020; 126:1379-1389. [PMID: 31967671 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Seizures are common in patients with cancer and either result from brain lesions, paraneoplastic syndromes, and complications of cancer treatment or are provoked by systemic illness (metabolic derangements, infections). Evaluation should include a tailored history, neurologic examination, laboratory studies, neuroimaging, and electroencephalogram. In unprovoked seizures, antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment is required, and a nonenzyme-inducing AED is preferred. Treatment of the underlying cancer with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy also can help reduce seizures. Benzodiazepines are useful in the treatment of both provoked seizures and breakthrough epileptic seizures and as first-line treatment for status epilepticus. Counseling for safety is an important component in the care of a patient with cancer who has seizures. Good seizure management can be challenging but significantly improves the quality of life during all phases of care, including end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Nicolas Gonzalez Castro
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tracey A Milligan
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Neurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: a systematic review of clinical evidence for efficacy, safety, contraindications and predictors for response. Curr Opin Neurol 2018; 31:198-210. [DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Englot DJ, Rolston JD, Wright CW, Hassnain KH, Chang EF. Rates and Predictors of Seizure Freedom With Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Intractable Epilepsy. Neurosurgery 2017; 79:345-53. [PMID: 26645965 PMCID: PMC4884552 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000001165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. BACKGROUND: Neuromodulation-based treatments have become increasingly important in epilepsy treatment. Most patients with epilepsy treated with neuromodulation do not achieve complete seizure freedom, and, therefore, previous studies of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy have focused instead on reduction of seizure frequency as a measure of treatment response. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate rates and predictors of seizure freedom with VNS. METHODS: We examined 5554 patients from the VNS therapy Patient Outcome Registry, and also performed a systematic review of the literature including 2869 patients across 78 studies. RESULTS: Registry data revealed a progressive increase over time in seizure freedom after VNS therapy. Overall, 49% of patients responded to VNS therapy 0 to 4 months after implantation (≥50% reduction seizure frequency), with 5.1% of patients becoming seizure-free, while 63% of patients were responders at 24 to 48 months, with 8.2% achieving seizure freedom. On multivariate analysis, seizure freedom was predicted by age of epilepsy onset >12 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-2.58), and predominantly generalized seizure type (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.82), while overall response to VNS was predicted by nonlesional epilepsy (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06-1.81). Systematic literature review results were consistent with the registry analysis: At 0 to 4 months, 40.0% of patients had responded to VNS, with 2.6% becoming seizure-free, while at last follow-up, 60.1% of individuals were responders, with 8.0% achieving seizure freedom. CONCLUSION: Response and seizure freedom rates increase over time with VNS therapy, although complete seizure freedom is achieved in a small percentage of patients. ABBREVIATIONS: AED, antiepileptic drug VNS, vagus nerve stimulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario J Englot
- *UCSF Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; ‡Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California; §Cyberonics, Inc., Houston, Texas
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Piotrowski AF, Blakeley J. Clinical Management of Seizures in Patients With Low-Grade Glioma. Semin Radiat Oncol 2015; 25:219-24. [PMID: 26050593 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Seizures, transient disruptions of normal brain electrical activity, are common for patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) and significantly affect quality of life. Up to 75% of patients with a LGG will have seizures in the course of their disease (compared with 1%-2% of the general population). Depending on the type of abnormal electrical activity, the functional implications of seizure can impact any domain, including mental status, sensation or strength. In most cases, either the seizure or the medications used to treat the seizure may contribute to cognitive and psychosocial difficulties of various degrees of severity. Hence, effective management of seizures is a major priority for patients with LGG. Evidence-based guidelines suggest that levetiracetam is the best first-line agent for treatment of seizures in this population due to both its efficacy and tolerability. An important consideration in the field of neuro-oncology is that levetiracetam has very few drug interactions. Unfortunately, approximately one-third of patients with LGG have refractory epilepsy where additional agents such as valproic acid, or lacosamide, lamotrigine and nonpharmacologic therapies such as diet-based interventions, epilepsy surgery, and devices are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna F Piotrowski
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jaishri Blakeley
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
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