Rationale and purpose: 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.
Material and 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.
Conclusion: This preliminary observation seems to confirm the high efficacy and tolerability of TGB in DRPE related to GTs.