Tiagabine in glial tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Preliminary reports have suggested a possible 'aetiology-specific' efficacy of tiagabine (TGB) in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy (DRPE) related to cerebral glial tumors (GTs). This efficacy should be related to selective blocking of GAT-1 transporter by TGB. We presented our open-label, add-on TGB experience in a group of patients with GTs, compared with other symptomatic DRPEs of different aetiology.


METHODS
eleven patients with DRPE related to oligodendroglioma (six cases), astrocytoma (4) or multiform gliobastoma (1); 12 patients with DRPE related to a miscellanea of CNS lesions. TGB was added to previous AEDs, at dosage of 20-60 mg per die. Responders are defined by seizure frequency reduction >50% compared with baseline.


RESULTS
Seven patients are responders with three seizure-free (SF) in GTs group, a rate of efficacy much higher than in matching group (63.6 vs. 16.6%). Adverse events have been observed only rarely, not leading to discontinuation, in GTs group.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary observation seems to confirm the high efficacy and tolerability of TGB in DRPE related to GTs.
Striano
Salvatore
S
Department of Neurological Sciences, Epilepsy Center, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy. sstriano@libero.it
Striano
Pasquale
P
Boccella
Patrizia
P
Nocerino
Cristofaro
C
Bilo
Leonilda
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D000078308:Tiagabine
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D000078308:Tiagabine