Brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) is a common comorbidity in patients with brain neoplasms and it may be either the first symptom or develop after the tumor diagnosis. Increasing evidence suggests that brain tumors and BTRE share common pathophysiological mechanisms. Glutamatergic mechanisms can play a central role in promoting both primary brain tumor growth and epileptogenesis. Perampanel (PER), which acts as a selective antagonist of glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, may play a role both in the reduction in tumor growth and the control of epileptiform activity. This systematic review aimed to summarize the pre-clinical and clinical evidence about the antitumor properties, antiseizure effects and tolerability of PER in BTRE. Eight pre-clinical and eight clinical studies were identified. The currently available evidence suggests that PER can be an effective and generally well-tolerated therapeutic option in patients with BTRE. In vitro studies demonstrated promising antitumor activity of PER, while no role in slowing tumor progression has been demonstrated in rat models; clinical data on the potential antitumor activity of PER are scarce. Additional studies are needed to explore further the effects of PER on tumor progression and fully characterize its potentialities in patients with BTRE.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are oncologic treatments that may trigger or worsen paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNSs). This study describes patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS treated by ICI, compares the post-ICI group with ICI-naïve patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS, and estimates the overall survival of ICI-treated patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS, Hu-PNS, and Ma2-PNS. The medical records of patients positive for anti-CV2/CRMP5 antibodies were retrospectively reviewed at the French Reference Centre to identify those treated with ICI (2016-2024). Patients with a preexisting PNS were described separately from those with post-ICI PNS; the latter were then compared with ICI-naïve patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS diagnosed in the same study period. An overall survival analysis between ICI-treated patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS, Hu-PNS, and Ma2-PNS was performed. Fourteen patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS treated with ICIs were included. Eight patients [median age, 73 years (range: 60-87); 87.5% men] developed post-ICI PNS after a median of 3.5 ICI cycles (range: 1-7). The frequency and distribution of clinical phenotypes (isolated neuropathy [n = 3] or a multifocal neurologic involvement [encephalopathy, limbic syndrome, brainstem syndrome, cerebellar syndrome, ocular syndrome, neuropathy, and/or dysautonomia; n = 5]) were similar to those of ICI-naïve CV2/CRMP5-PNS (n = 48). The frequency of severe presentations (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score > 3) at diagnosis was similar between post-ICI patients and ICI-naïve patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS (63% vs 48%, p = 0.7) and slightly higher at last visit in post-ICI patients (88% vs 54%, p = 0.12). Anti-CV2/CRMP5 antibodies were undetectable in the only patient with a pre-ICI serum sample. Among the 6 patients with preexisting CV2/CRMP5-PNS [median age, 66 years (range: 54-79); 50% men] who received ICIs, PNS symptoms worsened in 5 (83%) [median mRS increase of 1.5 points (range: 1-3)]. The median overall survival (22 months) was significantly longer in the ICI-treated patients with CV2/CRMP5-PNS compared with the Hu-PNS and Ma2-PNS groups (4 months and 8 months, respectively, p = 0.0069). ICIs may trigger the onset and exacerbate the progression of CV2/CRMP5-PNS. Post-ICI forms are clinically undistinguishable but possibly more severe than their ICI-naïve counterparts. Increased surveillance is needed in identifying preexisting PNSs, with extreme caution when considering ICI treatment. Post-ICI-induced PNSs have variable prognosis according to the associated onconeural autoantibodies.

Background and ObjectivesThe SUPER-refractory status epilepticus (SE) after Cardiac Arrest Treatment (SUPER-CAT) study evaluated the efficacy and safety of dual antiglutamate therapy (combined AMPA...