Open‐label long‐term treatment of add‐on triheptanoin in adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate feasibility, safety, and tolerability of long‐term (48 weeks) add‐on treatment with triheptanoin (UX007), the triglyceride of heptanoate, in adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy. METHODS: This extension study was offered to adult participants with drug‐resistant epilepsy who completed a 12‐week randomized controlled trial of add‐on medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT) vs triheptanoin. Participants were asked to titrate triheptanoin to their maximum tolerated dose over 3 weeks, followed by 48‐week maintenance before tapering or treatment extension. The primary aims were to assess retention and safety of the triheptanoin treatment, and secondary aims to assess the tolerated doses and changes in seizure frequency. RESULTS: Eleven adults were enrolled and ten people were analyzed (because one patient was diagnosed as having nonepileptic seizures while on the study). Two adults finished the study and extended their treatment. Eight participants withdrew from the study, due to lack of efficacy (n = 3), unknown reasons (n = 2), belief of weight gain (n = 1), wanting to try a different treatment (n = 1), and a colonoscopy (n = 1). Diarrhea in two people and bloating in one person were deemed possibly related to treatment, but other adverse events were not. The duration of maintenance treatment dose was 27‐513 days (median 247 days, range 27‐513 days), and 0.49 ‐1.1 mL/kg triheptanoin was taken per day (0.77 ± 0.19 mL/kg, mean ± standard deviation, 40‐100 mL/d). Two participants experienced >90% and three people >50% reduction in seizure frequency, and all had focal seizures. The median seizure reduction was 48% (average 38%). SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate antiseizure effects of triheptanoin on focal seizures in 5 out of 10 adults. However, only two people finished and extended the 48‐week add‐on treatment phase, despite lack of safety or tolerability issues. More studies focused on improved treatment formulations, the potential of lower dosages, and efficacy are needed. Trial registration number: ACTRN12615000406505.