Valentina Rajone

Dr. Valentina Rajone


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5 November 2026 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ALAntonio Leo
Antonio Leo
RRRoberta Roberti
Roberta Roberti
PVPio Francesco Vono
Pio Francesco Vono
VRValentina Rajone
Valentina Rajone
VSValeria Di Stefano
Valeria Di Stefano
EREmilio Russo
Emilio Russo
In genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, disability results from both the molecular defect and epileptic activity. Antiseizure medications modulate pathways involved in seizure initiation and propagation but generally do not correct the disease-causing molecular alterations that contribute to epileptic susceptibility and neurodevelopmental dysfunction. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) modify the splicing of ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcripts, promote RNA degradation, or reactivate silenced alleles. This narrative review examines variant-guided mechanisms, translational evidence, clinical outcomes, and barriers to implementation. ASO programs targeting SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN8A, KCNT1, GNAO1, and UBE3A range from individualized treatments to phase 3 trials. Published uncontrolled zorevunersen studies report preliminary clinical signals in Dravet syndrome, whereas sponsor-reported results from the randomized, sham-controlled EMBRAVE Part A study suggest seizure reduction with elsunersen in SCN2A-related disease. Conversely, sponsor-reported phase 3 Aspire topline results indicate that apazunersen did not meet its primary cognitive or key secondary multidomain endpoint in Angelman syndrome. These findings are not equivalent in evidentiary strength. Intrathecal delivery, heterogeneous central nervous system (CNS) exposure, target-dosage sensitivity, and compound-specific toxicity influence the therapeutic window. Disease modification requires controlled longitudinal demonstration of meaningful outcomes beyond target engagement or seizure reduction, considering development, adaptive functioning, survival, and treatment burden.