Long-term safety and efficacy of adjunctive perampanel in pediatric patients (ages 4 to <12 years) with inadequately controlled focal-onset seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures

ObjectiveStudy 311 (NCT02849626) Extension A assessed long-term outcomes of adjunctive perampanel treatment in children (ages 4 to <12 years) with uncontrolled focal-onset seizures (FOS), with/without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS), or generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). MethodsPatients completing the 23-week Core Study could enter Extension A (29-week Maintenance and 4-week Follow-up Periods) to receive perampanel at the dose achieved during the Core Study. Dose adjustments were permitted per the investigator's discretion during Extension A. The maximum dose was 12 mg/day for patients enrolled in Japan and without enzyme-inducing anti-seizure medications (EIASMs), or 16 mg/day with EIASM(s). Safety and tolerability were monitored throughout Extension A. Efficacy assessments included median percent change in seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline and 50% responder rates. Outcomes were analyzed by seizure type, age (4 to <7 vs 7 to <12 years), and EIASM use. ResultsOf 180 patients enrolling in the Core Study, 136 entered (FOS, n = 116 [including 43 with FBTCS]; GTCS, n = 20) and 122 completed Extension A. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were the most common reason for discontinuation (4%). The mean (standard deviation) dose during Extension A was 8.3 (3.2) mg/day. Incidences of TEAEs in Extension A were 69% overall and 62%-89% across subgroups; TEAEs led to dose adjustment in 10% of patients. No changes of clinical concern in cognition, growth, development, or quality of life were identified over 52 weeks. At Weeks 40-52, median percent reductions in seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline were 69% (FOS, n = 108), 74% (FBTCS, n = 41), and 100% (GTCS, n = 13); 50% responder rates were 62% (FOS and GTCS) and 81% (FBTCS). Efficacy outcomes were comparable across age and EIASM groups. SignificanceThese findings support long-term (<= 52 weeks) use of adjunctive perampanel in children with epilepsy, irrespective of seizure type, age, or EIASM use.