Seizure Treatment in Glioma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Currently, treatment with a specific anti-epileptic drug mainly depends on the physicians' preference, as there are no studies supporting the use of one specific anticonvulsant in glioma patients. The overall aim of this randomized controlled trial is to directly compare the effectiveness of treatment with levetiracetam or valproic acid in glioma patients with a first seizure.

Detailed Description
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Currently, treatment of glioma patients with a specific anti-epileptic drug (AED) mainly depends on the physicians' preference, as there is no robust evidence from randomized controlled trials supporting the use of one specific anticonvulsant above the other in glioma patients. Levetiracetam and valproic acid are the most commonly used AEDs in glioma patients. Both drugs are used for the treatment of seizures, have similar toxicity profiles and are non-enzyme inducing AEDs, therefore not interfering with chemotherapeutic drugs. However, it is not known whether one drug is more effective than the other in reducing seizures.

Official Title
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Seizure Treatment IN Glioma (STING): Comparing a Treatment Strategy With Levetiracetam Versus Treatment With Valproic Acid in Glioma Patients With a First Seizure

Conditions
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Glioma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Levetiracetam
* Drug: Valproic Acid


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Histologically proven or suspected diffuse astrocytoma (Isocytrate Dehydrogenase-1 (IDH-1) wildtype or IDH-1 mutated), diffuse oligodendroglioma (IDH-1 mutated and 1p/19q co-deleted), anaplastic astrocytoma (IDH-1 wildtype or IDH-1 mutated), anaplastic oligodendroglioma (IDH-1 mutated and 1p/19q co-deleted), glioblastoma (IDH-1 wild-type or IDH-1 mutated), or diffuse astrocytoma not otherwise specified (NOS), anaplastic astrocytoma NOS, oligodendroglioma NOS, oligoastrocytoma NOS, anaplastic oligoastrocytoma NOS, anaplastic oligodendroglioma NOS or glioblastoma NOS. Adult patients: ≥18 years of age First epileptic seizure, no longer than 2 weeks ago Monotherapy with antiepileptic drugs is considered most appropriate at the time of randomization Willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Previously treated with antiepileptic drugs, except emergency treatment in the past 2 weeks History of non-brain tumor related epilepsy Pregnancy Presence of contra-indications for use of levetiracetam or valproic acid

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Levetiracetam<br>Patients in this treatment arm will receive levetiracetam monotherapy. The dosage depends on the specific treatment step, as indicated in the protocol. In step 1, patients will receive 2x500 mg/d levetiracetam in the form of tablets. In step 2, dosage is increased to 1x250 plus 1x500 mg/d and in step 3 to 2x1000 mg/d levetiracetam. In step 4, levetiracetam is increased to 2x1500mg/d. In the fifth treatment step, patients will receive 2x1500 mg/d levetiracetam, and another AED will be added. The type and dosage of this add-on AED is according to the physician's preference, but in line with current clinical practice in the Netherlands. | Drug: Levetiracetam<br>* Antiepileptic drug levetiracetam<br>* Other names: Keppra;|
| Active Comparator: Valproic acid<br>Patients in this treatment arm will receive valproic acid monotherapy. The dosage depends on the specific treatment step, as indicated in the protocol. In step 1, patients will receive 2x500 mg/d valproic acid in the form of tablets. In step 2, dosage is increased to 1x250 plus 1x500 mg/d and in step 3 to 2x1000 mg/d valproic acid. In step 4, valproic acid dosage is increased to a maximum of 2x1250mg/d. In the fifth treatment step, patients will receive 2x1250mg valproic acid, and another AED will be added. The type and dosage of this add-on AED is according to the physician's preference, but in line with current clinical practice in the Netherlands. | Drug: Valproic Acid<br>* Antiepileptic drug valproic acid<br>* Other names: Depakine;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ongoing seizure freedom at 6 months | The percentage of patients with ongoing seizure freedom at 6 months | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to 6 months seizure freedom | Time to 6 months seizure freedom | 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Seizure outcome at 12 months | Seizure outcome at 12 months | 12 months | 
| Adverse effects of the treatment | Adverse effects of the treatment | 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Hospitalisation rate | hospitalization rate due to treatment failure | 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Health-related quality of life | Health-related quality of life | 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Cognitive complaints | Cognitive complaints | 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Mood | Anxiety and depression | 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Performance Status | Karnofsky Performance Status Score | 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Epilepsy burden | Epilepsy burden | 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Treatment response | Treatment response (e.g., maximum dosage of AED, use of add-on AED) | 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Progression-free survival | Progression-free survival | 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively | 
| Overall survival | Overall survival | 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 36 months or 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, depending on a 3-monthly or 6-monthly follow-up schedule respectively |