Abstract
Background
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder made particularly disabling in the 30% of patients who do not achieve freedom from seizures despite multiple trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Experimental and clinical evidence supports a role for inflammatory pathway activation in the pathogenesis of epilepsy which, if effectively targeted by immunomodulatory interventions, highlights a potentially novel therapeutic strategy.
Objectives
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of immunomodulatory interventions as additional therapy in focal epilepsy syndromes in adults.
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialised Register (2 August 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 7), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to July week 3, 2012), the World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trials Registry (2 August 2012), ClinicalTrials.gov (2 August 2012) and the Current Controlled Trials International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register (2 August 2012). There were no language restrictions. We reviewed the bibliographies of retrieved studies to search for additional reports of relevant studies.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials of add-on immunomodulatory drug interventions for the treatment of focal epilepsy in adults (aged over 16 years).
Data collection and analysis
Three review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. The primary outcomes were 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency and seizure freedom; the secondary outcomes included serious and commonly occurring adverse effects, allergy, withdrawal and quality of life assessment.
Main results
We identified one study involving both children and adults (n=61) that assessed the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as add-on therapy for the treatment of epilepsy. The authors found no significant difference between IVIG and placebo for the primary outcomes of seizure freedom or 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency. The study reported a statistically significant effect for global blind assessment (rating scale involving multiple seizure-related parameters) in favour of IVIG. Secondary outcomes including adverse effects and allergies were not demonstrated.
Authors’ conclusions
It is not possible to draw any conclusions about the role of immunomodulatory interventions in reducing seizure frequency or the safety of these agents in adults with epilepsy. Further randomised controlled trials are needed.
Plain language summary
Immunomodulatory interventions (treatments that target the immune system) for focal epilepsy syndromes
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. We still do not fully understand the mechanisms by which the brain becomes epileptic. Recently, it has been suggested that the immune system and how it responds to injury may play an important role in this process. We identified a single randomised controlled trial of a treatment that targets the immune system. The results of the trial suggest that this treatment (called intravenous immunoglobulin therapy) may be effective in reducing seizure frequency in some patients with epilepsy (on the basis of a global blind assessment including various methods for assessing seizures and quality of life) but more trials are necessary before any definite conclusions and recommendations can be made.
