The efficacy and safety of cannabidivarin treatment on epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome: A phase I clinical trial

Summary

Objective

Rett Syndrome (RTT), commonly caused by methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) pathogenic variants, has many co-morbidities. 50-90% of children with RTT have epilepsy which is often drug resistant. Cannabidivarin (CBDV), a non-hallucinogenic phytocannabinoid has shown benefit in MECP2 animal models. This Phase I trial assessed the safety and tolerability of CBDV in female children with RTT and drug resistant epilepsy, as well as the effect on mean monthly seizure frequency (MMSF), the electroencephalogram (EEG), and non-epilepsy co-morbid symptoms.

Methods

Five female children with drug resistant epilepsy and a pathogenic MECP2 variant were enrolled. Baseline clinical and laboratory assessments, including monthly seizure frequency, were recorded. CBDV oral solution (50mg/mL) was prescribed and titrated to 10mg/kg/day. Data collected over 15 months included pharmacokinetics, seizure type and frequency, adverse events, EEG, and responses to Rett syndrome behaviour questionnaire (RSBQ) and Rett syndrome symptom severity index, and was compared to baseline data.

Results

All five children reached the maximum CBDV dose of 10mg/kg/day and had a reduction in MMSF (median 79% reduction). Three children had MMSF reduction >75%. This corresponded to an overall reduction in seizure frequency from 32 to 7.2 seizures per month. 91% of adverse events were mild or moderate and none required drug withdrawal. 62% were judged unrelated to CBDV. 31% of adverse events were identified as possibly related, of which nearly all were mild, and the remainder were later assessed as RTT symptoms. Hypersomnolence and drooling were identified as related to CBDV. No serious adverse events reported were related to CBDV. No significant change was noted in EEG or non-epilepsy related symptoms of RTT.

Significance

10mg/kg/day of CBDV is safe and well tolerated in a paediatric Rett syndrome cohort and suggests improved seizure control in children with MECP2-related Rett syndrome.

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