Cenobamate in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and generalized epilepsies: A case report on epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures and systematic review of current evidence

Background

Cenobamate (CNB) has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in the treatment of drug-resistant focal epilepsy (FE). However, its role in other epilepsy types - such as drug-resistant generalized epilepsies (GEs), combined generalized and focal epilepsies (CGFEs), and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) - remains poorly explored. This article assesses the current evidence of CNB efficacy in these often complex and challenging patient populations.

Methods

A case report is presented detailing a 22-year-old male with drug-resistant epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (EMAtS) who achieved seizure freedom on CNB. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate CNB's efficacy in GEs, CGFEs, and DEEs, summarizing seizure outcomes, adverse events (AEs), and dose-response relationships.

Results

The case report highlights a patient achieving 18 months of sustained seizure freedom and improved quality of life with tapering of concomitant antiseizure medications (ASMs). The systematic review included 32 patients from six studies. Overall, 59.4 % achieved a ≥ 50 % seizure reduction, and 9.4 % attained seizure freedom. Subgroup analysis showed ≥50 % reduction in 50 % of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and 80 % with Dravet syndrome (DS), with seizure freedom rates of 20 % in DS and 50 % in epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia (EEM). AEs, primarily sedation and fatigue, were reported in 74 % of patients, while 31.25 % reduced or tapered off ASMs.

Discussion

CNB demonstrates potential efficacy in managing seizures across drug-resistant epilepsy syndromes, extending its established use beyond FE. Further prospective trials are needed to validate these findings and optimize dosing strategies.