Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) affect ≈90% of individuals with TSC and significantly reduce their quality of life (QoL). However, there are limited studies assessing pharmacotherapy for TAND. A plant-derived highly purified pharmaceutical formulation of...

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Main Authors: Agnies M van Eeghen, Elizabeth A Thiele, Sam Amin, Debopam Samanta, Anna C Jansen, Joanne Stevens, Lisa Moore-Ramdin, Petrus J de Vries
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324648
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author Agnies M van Eeghen
Elizabeth A Thiele
Sam Amin
Debopam Samanta
Anna C Jansen
Joanne Stevens
Lisa Moore-Ramdin
Petrus J de Vries
author_facet Agnies M van Eeghen
Elizabeth A Thiele
Sam Amin
Debopam Samanta
Anna C Jansen
Joanne Stevens
Lisa Moore-Ramdin
Petrus J de Vries
author_sort Agnies M van Eeghen
collection DOAJ
description Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) affect ≈90% of individuals with TSC and significantly reduce their quality of life (QoL). However, there are limited studies assessing pharmacotherapy for TAND. A plant-derived highly purified pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex®/Epidyolex® oral solution) is approved for seizures associated with TSC. Anecdotal evidence also suggests psychiatric, neuropsychological, and behavioral benefits of CBD. EpiCom (Epilepsy Comorbidities; NCT05864846; EU-CT, 2023-507426-17), a multicenter, open-label, phase 3b/4 study, with hybrid decentralized approach, was designed in collaboration with patient advisory groups and healthcare professionals to evaluate behavioral and other outcomes following adjunctive CBD treatment in individuals with TSC-associated seizures. EpiCom will enroll participants, aged 1-65 years (United States [US]) or 2-65 years (United Kingdom [UK], Canada, and Poland), who are starting CBD for seizures and have moderate/severe behavioral challenges according to the Caregiver Global Impression of Severity scale at screening. Participants will receive CBD (up to 25 mg/kg/d based on individual response and tolerability) in addition to their standard of care (SoC) for 26 weeks, after which participants may choose to continue CBD with SoC or SoC alone for an additional 26 weeks. Key efficacy endpoints include change from baseline on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (e.g., irritability subscale) and the most problematic behavior on the TAND-Self-Report, Quantified Checklist. Changes in executive function, sleep, QoL, family functioning, seizure outcomes (severity, responder rates, seizure-free days), retention rate, and safety will be evaluated. The trial will enroll ≈75 participants at ≈20 sites across the US, the UK, Canada, and Poland. EpiCom will assess the changes in behavioral and other outcomes associated with TAND and seizure outcomes, including overall symptom severity and treatment retention, following adjunctive CBD treatment in individuals with TSC-associated seizures. The results will inform future studies evaluating pharmacotherapy for behavioral outcomes in similar populations.
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spelling doaj-art-b7870eb80c394e3fb6da77d1d52204492025-08-20T03:28:49ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01206e032464810.1371/journal.pone.0324648Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).Agnies M van EeghenElizabeth A ThieleSam AminDebopam SamantaAnna C JansenJoanne StevensLisa Moore-RamdinPetrus J de VriesTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) affect ≈90% of individuals with TSC and significantly reduce their quality of life (QoL). However, there are limited studies assessing pharmacotherapy for TAND. A plant-derived highly purified pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex®/Epidyolex® oral solution) is approved for seizures associated with TSC. Anecdotal evidence also suggests psychiatric, neuropsychological, and behavioral benefits of CBD. EpiCom (Epilepsy Comorbidities; NCT05864846; EU-CT, 2023-507426-17), a multicenter, open-label, phase 3b/4 study, with hybrid decentralized approach, was designed in collaboration with patient advisory groups and healthcare professionals to evaluate behavioral and other outcomes following adjunctive CBD treatment in individuals with TSC-associated seizures. EpiCom will enroll participants, aged 1-65 years (United States [US]) or 2-65 years (United Kingdom [UK], Canada, and Poland), who are starting CBD for seizures and have moderate/severe behavioral challenges according to the Caregiver Global Impression of Severity scale at screening. Participants will receive CBD (up to 25 mg/kg/d based on individual response and tolerability) in addition to their standard of care (SoC) for 26 weeks, after which participants may choose to continue CBD with SoC or SoC alone for an additional 26 weeks. Key efficacy endpoints include change from baseline on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (e.g., irritability subscale) and the most problematic behavior on the TAND-Self-Report, Quantified Checklist. Changes in executive function, sleep, QoL, family functioning, seizure outcomes (severity, responder rates, seizure-free days), retention rate, and safety will be evaluated. The trial will enroll ≈75 participants at ≈20 sites across the US, the UK, Canada, and Poland. EpiCom will assess the changes in behavioral and other outcomes associated with TAND and seizure outcomes, including overall symptom severity and treatment retention, following adjunctive CBD treatment in individuals with TSC-associated seizures. The results will inform future studies evaluating pharmacotherapy for behavioral outcomes in similar populations.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324648
spellingShingle Agnies M van Eeghen
Elizabeth A Thiele
Sam Amin
Debopam Samanta
Anna C Jansen
Joanne Stevens
Lisa Moore-Ramdin
Petrus J de Vries
Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
PLoS ONE
title Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
title_full Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
title_fullStr Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
title_full_unstemmed Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
title_short Protocol for EpiCom: A phase 3b/4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
title_sort protocol for epicom a phase 3b 4 study of behavioral outcomes following adjunctive cannabidiol for the management of tuberous sclerosis complex associated neuropsychiatric disorders tand
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324648
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