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Tiagabine in glial tumors
Salvatore Striano1, Pasquale Striano, Patrizia Boccella
1Department of Neurological Sciences, Epilepsy Center, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy. sstriano@libero.it
Epilepsy Research
|April 12, 2002
Summary
Tiagabine (TGB) shows high efficacy in treating drug-resistant partial epilepsy (DRPE) associated with cerebral glial tumors (GTs). This treatment was well-tolerated, suggesting a specific benefit for epilepsy linked to GTs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-resistant partial epilepsy (DRPE) presents challenges in management.
- Cerebral glial tumors (GTs) are a specific etiology for DRPE.
- Tiagabine (TGB) selectively blocks the GAT-1 transporter, potentially impacting epilepsy associated with GTs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tiagabine (TGB) as an add-on therapy in patients with DRPE related to GTs.
- To compare the efficacy of TGB in GTs-related DRPE with DRPE from other causes.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, add-on study involving 11 patients with DRPE related to GTs (oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma, glioblastoma) and 12 patients with DRPE from other CNS lesions.
- Tiagabine (TGB) was administered at 20-60 mg per day, added to existing anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
- Responders were defined as patients achieving >50% reduction in seizure frequency compared to baseline.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher response rate was observed in the GTs group (63.6%) compared to the control group (16.6%).
- Three patients (27.3%) in the GTs group achieved seizure-free status.
- Adverse events were rare and did not lead to treatment discontinuation in the GTs group.
Conclusions:
- Tiagabine (TGB) demonstrates promising efficacy in patients with DRPE associated with cerebral glial tumors (GTs).
- The observed efficacy suggests an etiology-specific benefit of TGB for GTs-related epilepsy.
- TGB appears to be a well-tolerated treatment option for this specific patient population.