Seizure Prophylaxis Study
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03436433 |
Recruitment Status :
Terminated
(Did not enroll as planned)
First Posted : February 19, 2018
Results First Posted : December 30, 2021
Last Update Posted : December 30, 2021
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Glioma Glioma of Brain Brain Tumor | Drug: Lacosamide Drug: Levetiracetam | Phase 2 |
The protocol will assess the need for AED prophylaxis during the post-operative period in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedure for a suspected diagnosis of glioma (WHO grade I-IV) and brain metastasis. Patients (n=116) will be consented and randomized at their pre-operative assessment, either at their pre-operative clinic visit or in the ED, if that is the time of their initial presentation prior to surgery. There will be three arms to the study - patients will be randomized to LCM, LEV, or control (no AED). Randomization will be stratified by suspected grade (LGG vs HGG) and brain metastasis. The AED can be initiated anytime within 48 hours before neurosurgical procedure.
Doses will be either LCM 100mg twice a day (BID) (Arm A), LEV 1000mg BID (Arm B), or no AED (Arm C). If a patient is randomized to Arm C and undergoes tumor mapping, the patient is allowed to receive one dose of AED in the operating room. If a patient is randomized to Arm A or Arm B and takes the morning dose of their AED, they do not need an intra-operative dose of AED. If a patient has a seizure during the post-operative period, AEDs will be adjusted at the discretion of the treating physician. However, if a patient has intolerable side effects, patients will be changed to a different dose of the same medicine before consideration of another AED [i.e., BID to four times a day (QID) dosing if patient experiences diplopia on LCM].
Patients with high-grade tumors (newly-diagnosed or transformed) will be treated with standard radiation and temozolomide therapy per the Stupp protocol 25,70. For these patients, an AED taper will be initiated at the first clinic visit after completion of radiation. For patients with a low-grade tumor or recurrent disease of any grade or brain metastasis, an AED taper will be initiated at the first scheduled post-operative visit, approximately 6-10 weeks after the operation. LCM will be tapered by 100mg a week one week at a time. LEV will be tapered 500-1000mg one week at a time.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 4 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Upon consent, patients will be randomized in REDCap™ to receive either LCM, LEV, or no AED. Randomization will be stratified by suspected histologic grade (LGG vs HGG vs brain metastasis) based on MRI review by the treating neurosurgeon and/or neuro-oncologist. A stratified permuted block randomization algorithm will be used assign patients to treatment arms. |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Phase II Trial of Seizure Prophylaxis in Brain Tumor Patients Undergoing Neurosurgical Procedure |
Actual Study Start Date : | January 31, 2019 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | December 4, 2020 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | December 4, 2020 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Active Comparator: Lacosamide
Enrolled subjects will be randomized to receive Lacosamide.
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Drug: Lacosamide
LCM 100mg twice a day.
Other Names:
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Active Comparator: Levetiracetam
Enrolled subjects will be randomized to receive Levetiracetam.
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Drug: Levetiracetam
LEV 1000mg twice a day.
Other Names:
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No Intervention: No anti-epileptic
Enrolled subjects will be randomized to not receive anti-epileptic drugs.
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- Percentage of Patients With an ED Visit/Hospital Readmission Within 30 Days of Craniotomy [ Time Frame: 30 days following surgery ]The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of LCM, LEV or, no AED in patients undergoing craniotomy for suspected new, recurrent or transformed glioma (WHO Gr I-IV) or brain metastasis on ED visits and readmissions within 30 days of craniotomy.
- Number of Participants With an Adverse Event Within First 30 Days After Craniotomy [ Time Frame: 30 days following surgery ]Adverse events related to LCM, LEV, and no drug within first 30 days after craniotomy.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 99 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with a suspected diagnosis of new, recurrent, or transformed glioma (WHO grade I-IV) or brain metastasis scheduled for neurosurgical procedure (gross-total resection, sub-total resection or biopsy) at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC);
- Safe for surgery per treating neurosurgeon;
- Due to the potential implications of the treatment on the developing central nervous system (CNS), all patients must be ≥ 18 years of age at the time of entry into the study;
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Laboratory Studies:
- Total bilirubin, Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALK) ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Creatinine ≤ 1.5
- A signed informed consent form approved by the Duke University Institutional Review Board (IRB) will be required for patient enrollment into the study. Patients must be able to read and understand the informed consent document and must sign the informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study.
- Patients of child bearing potential or with partners of child-bearing potential must agree to practice recommended contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose of AED for women and men.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or need to breast feed during the study period (Negative urine β-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test required), or unable to maintain use of contraception while on study and for 1 month after the last dose of AED;
- Patients already on AED(s);
- Known history of epilepsy/seizure disorder;
- Known history of dependency/abuse of psychopharmaceuticals, alcohol, illicit drugs or narcotics;
- Any significant medical or psychiatric illness that cannot be adequately controlled with appropriate therapy or would compromise the patient's ability to tolerate therapy, per the discretion of the treating investigator;
- Known allergy to LCM or LEV.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03436433
United States, North Carolina | |
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center | |
Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710 |
Principal Investigator: | Annick Desjardins, M.D. | Duke University |
Documents provided by Duke University:
Responsible Party: | Duke University |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03436433 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
Pro00081334 |
First Posted: | February 19, 2018 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | December 30, 2021 |
Last Update Posted: | December 30, 2021 |
Last Verified: | December 2021 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: | No |
anti-epileptic drugs seizure prophylaxis levetiracetam |
Glioma Brain Neoplasms Seizures Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial Neuroectodermal Tumors Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue Neurologic Manifestations Nervous System Diseases Central Nervous System Neoplasms |
Nervous System Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Lacosamide Levetiracetam Anticonvulsants Nootropic Agents Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers Sodium Channel Blockers Membrane Transport Modulators Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |