The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Epidiolex at various doses between 5 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day as an additional (add-on) drug for treating debilitating, drug-resistant epilepsy.
The specific goals of this phase I dose finding study, conducted in consecutively enrolled patients 1-19 years of age, are to prospectively and longitudinally assess the safety and tolerability, including cognitive effects, of Cannabidiol (CBD) at various doses between 5 mg/kg/day and 25 mg/kg/day, with additional titration in some cases up to 50 mg/kg/day. In order to participate in the study, participants will need to fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The goal of the study is to fulfill the mandate of "Carly's Law" and to provide patients with debilitating epileptic conditions with access to CBD as an add-on treatment. Other care including routine neurological care unrelated to participation in the CBD study will need to be provided by patients' primary/current treating neurologist.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
89
Epidiolex oral solution (100 mg/mL CBD concentration) with inactive ingredients including anhydrous ethanol, sesame seed oil, strawberry flavor, and sucralose).
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Number of Participants With Severe Adverse Events (Increase in Seizure Frequency by More Than 100% Leading to Emergency Room Visit or Hospitalization).
Severe adverse events (SAEs) were defined as increase in seizure frequency by more than 100% leading to emergency room visit or hospitalization. During study clinic and phone visits, adverse and severe adverse event monitoring and reporting were assessed among all participants. Data was recorded and stored in the UAB RedCap System.
Time frame: For 1 Year following Enrollment
Number of Participants With Change in Resting Blood Pressure or Heart Rate by 25% if Considered Significant by Managing Neurologist.
During study clinic visits, participant vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate, were collected. Data was recorded and stored in the UAB RedCap System. Clinically significant was determined by using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.03. Adverse events categorized as a grade 3 or above were considered clinically significant. Adverse events grade 4 or above were considered severe adverse events.
Time frame: For 1 Year following Enrollment
Number of Participants With Change in Laboratory Tests Considered by Managing Neurologists as Clinically Significant.
During study clinic visits, participants received laboratory testing to assess for side effects and toxicity. Data was recorded and stored in the UAB RedCap System. Laboratory testing included Complete Blood Count (CBC), Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP; included Liver Function Tests (LFTs) mainly looking at alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), Urine Analysis (UA), and Antiepileptic Drug (AED) levels. Clinically significant was determined by using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.03. Adverse events categorized as a grade 3 or above were considered clinically significant. Adverse events grade 4 or above were considered severe adverse events.
Time frame: For 1 Year following Enrollment
Change in Seizure Frequency as Measured in Total Number of Seizures Per Month.
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Participants were given seizure diary logs and dairy data collection was done at study clinic visits. Data was recorded and stored in the UAB RedCap System. The analysis plan was to assess the pattern of change in seizure frequency over time, relative to baseline, following CBD exposure. Since the baseline measure was reported at the time of screening, there was some tendency to overestimate the frequency of seizures in the historically reported interval. This was examined by comparing the initial study visits improvement versus the pattern of control over time, and was assessed using graphic techniques and summary statistics.
Time frame: For 1 Year following Enrollment
Change in Seizure Severity Measured by the Chalfont Seizure Severity Scale (Duncan & Sander, 1991, JNNP).
Seizure severity was collected during study clinic and phone visits using the Chalfont Seizure Severity Scale (CSSS) (Duncan \& Sander, 1991, JNNP) through verbal reporting. The CSSS measured components of seizures most disturbing or disruptive to the participants. The total scores for a given seizure type was its severity score. High scores indicated high severity of the seizures (no fixed maximum value), while a score of zero indicated low severity. Scores were recorded and stored in the UAB RedCap System. The analysis plan was to assess the pattern of change in seizure severity scores over time, relative to baseline, following CBD exposure. Since the baseline measure was reported at the time of screening, there was some tendency to overestimate the severity of seizures in the historically reported interval. This was examined by comparing the initial study visits improvement versus the pattern of control over time, and was assessed using graphic techniques and summary statistics.
Time frame: For 1 Year following Enrollment