Cannabis Extract in Refractory Epilepsy Study

Phase 3TerminatedNCT03808935

The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute17 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine whether a low dose of CBD+THC will decrease the frequency of convulsive seizures in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy, when used in addition to standard anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). This study will also study the genes associated with epilepsy and whether different epileptic syndromes respond to treatment with CBD+THC.

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two major compounds found in the cannabis plant. Reports from patients, families, and the scientific community suggest that CBD (when used as an add-on therapy) decreases the number of convulsive seizures in children and adults with Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Tuberous sclerosis complex. Trial design: Phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, followed by an open phase where treatment allocation will be revealed and all participants will either continue or begin receiving the active study drug. Participants: Adults (18 years of age and older) with drug-resistant epilepsy, including patients with Dravet and Lennox Gastaut syndromes, and patients with frequent convulsive seizures (e.g., tonic, tonic-clonic, atonic, drop attacks, and focal motor seizures). Interventions: Capsules containing a ratio of 16 CBD: 1 THC oil at a maximum total daily dose of approximately 300 mg of CBD per day, divided into equal doses in the morning and evening. Comparator: Placebo capsules containing high-oleic sunflower oil and no active or medicinal ingredients. Outcomes: Frequency of seizures; side effects; blood levels of AEDs, CBD, THC, and liver enzymes; impact on cognition and quality of life; genetics. Sample size: A total of 80 participants (40 assigned to treatment and 40 to control group) recruited from Toronto Western Hospital in Toronto, and University Hospital in London, Ontario. Time: Each participant will be enrolled for approximately 16 to 18 weeks, while the clinical trial is expected to take place over a period of two years.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Interventions

Medical CannabisDRUG

The experimental intervention will begin with two weeks of titration (100 mg to 200 mg of CBD per day), followed by four weeks of treatment (maximum 300 mg of CBD per day) and four weeks of maintenance (maximum 300 mg of CBD per day). A two week washout phase will slowly decrease the daily dose (200 mg to 100 mg of CBD per day). All daily doses are equally divided into a morning and evening dose.

PlaceboDRUG

The placebo intervention will begin with two weeks of titration, followed by four weeks of treatment. Participants will then be unblinded to their study group and begin two weeks of titration, four weeks of treatment, and two weeks of washout with medical cannabis, following the same dosing and schedule as the experimental group. All daily doses are equally divided into a morning and evening dose.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of epilepsy according to the ILAE classification. * At least 4 motor seizures per month at the start of the study, despite treatment with at least two different anti-epileptic drugs (given concurrently or sequentially) for at least one year. * At least 4 motor seizures per month during the prospective baseline phase (4 weeks) with no 21-day seizure free periods. * Stable dose(s) of the same AED(s) for one month prior to screening. * Agrees not to take any cannabinoids during the study or any other investigational compound for one month before the study or outside cannabinoids during the study. * Is planning to stay in Canada for the duration of the trial. * Is able to travel to one of the study sites for in-person visits with the study physicians and to a local lab for blood collection. * Has access to telephone, computer, and internet for regular correspondence and to complete the study questionnaires. Exclusion Criteria: * Participation in a study involving administration of an investigational compound within one month of Visit 1. * Evidence of clinically significant non-epileptic disease (cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, hematologic, or renal disease, etc.) that in the opinion of the investigators could affect the patient's safety or trial conduct. * Progressive central nervous system (CNS) disease, including degenerative CNS diseases and progressive tumors. * Occurrence of psychogenic seizures in the previous year. * History of drug misuse/abuse (other than cannabinoids). Consideration may be given to allowing inclusion of subjects with remote history of drug abuse (within a defined relevant time period). * Multiple drug allergies (dermatological, hematological, or organ toxicity) or more than one severe drug reaction(s). * Pregnancy, breastfeeding. * Known or suspected hypersensitivity to cannabinoids, or any of the excipients of the investigational medicinal product. * Patients with a history of major depression, suicidal ideation or attempted suicide, schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder, patients with a family history of schizophrenia.

Locations (2)

University Hospital Campus, London Health Sciences Centre

London, Ontario, Canada

University Health Network - Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Frequency of convulsive seizures

Time frame: 0 - 10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by the adverse events questionnaire

Time frame: 0- 10 weeks

Changes in blood levels of CBD and THC from baseline to end of treatment

Time frame: 0 - 10 weeks

Changes in blood levels of AEDs from baseline to end of treatment

Time frame: 0 - 10 weeks

Changes in blood levels of liver enzymes AST, ALT, and GGT from baseline to end of treatment

Time frame: 0 - 10 weeks

Changes in quality of life from baseline to end of treatment as assessed by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) questionnaire

QOLIE-31 is a 31-item measure assessing health-related quality of life in adults with epilepsy. Seven scales assess seizure worry, overall quality of life, emotional well-being, cognitive and medication effects, and social function.

Time frame: 0 - 10 weeks

Changes in quality of life from baseline to end of treatment as assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire

WHOQOL-BREF is a 26-item measure of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment.

Time frame: 0 - 10 weeks

Changes in quality of life from baseline to end of treatment as assessed by the Quality of Life Childhood Epilepsy (QOLCE) questionnaire

QOLCE is a 55-item scale assessing health-related quality of life in children with epilepsy from the perspective of the parent or caregiver. It covers cognitive, emotional, social, and physical functioning.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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