Results from the Subgroup Analysis of BECOME Caregiver Survey: Robert Iannone, MD, MSCE

WATCH TIME: 6 minutes

“Epilepsy in the context of the syndromes for which Epidiolex (cannabidiol) has been approved, is a complex set of not only seizures, but other comorbidities that have to do with communication, socialization and cognition. It's important to continue to study these aspects to really understand how to optimize the benefit of Epidiolex and any antiseizure medication.”

Recently, a global outcomes survey, BEhavior, Cognition, and More with Epidiolex®, orBECOME, of caregivers of patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome (DS), reported improvements in seizure frequency and severity with use of cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex; Jazz Pharmaceuticals). The findings from the analysis provided clarification of the effects of the FDA-approved treatment in pediatric patients in comparison with adults(aged younger than 18 years and aged older than or 18 years). The results were presented as a late breaker in a poster session at the 2022 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, held December 2 to 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Results showed that most respondents from both groups reported any improvements in seizure frequency (84% each) and severity (pediatric, 77% and adults, 75%). Also, both groups reported decreases in convulsive seizures (72% each), drop seizures (71% each), nonconvulsive/nondrop seizures (pediatric, 66% and adults, 69%), and nighttime seizures (pediatric, 61% and adults, 63%). Notably, both groups had reports of improvements in seizure-free days per week (pediatric, 65% and adults, 70%) and seizure freedom in the past month (pediatric, 18% and adults, 15%).

Robert Iannone, MD, MSCE, executive vice president, Global Head of Research and Development, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, sat down with NeurologyLive^® in an interview and provided an overview of the caregiver survey analysis presented at the meeting. He discussed the highlights from the study that were related to the caregiver perspective, as well as domains such as communication, socialization and cognition, that stood out the most.

Click here for more coverage of AES 2022.

REFERENCES
1. Saurer T, Berg A, Dixon-Salazar T, et al. Seizure Outcomes with Cannabidol (CBD) in Pediatric Patients Versus Adult Patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome (DS): Subgroup Analysis of BECOME Caregiver Survey Results. Presented at: AES Annual Meeting; December 2-6, 2022; Nashville, TN, and virtual. Late Breaker Poster.