Publication success for four clinical trials

25 Jul 2018, 2:44 p.m.

EEG

Four collaborative research trials, which all included GOSH patients treated at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) GOSH Clinical Research Facility (CRF), have been recently published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

Drug derived from cannabis cuts seizures for children with severe epilepsy

In a clinical trial led at GOSH by Professor Helen Cross, a drug derived from cannabis (cannabidiol) cut the number of ‘drop attacks’ – a type of epileptic seizure causing children to drop suddenly to the floor – in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Children who live with this condition endure debilitating seizures that can lead to serious injuries, so this drug could make a significant difference to their quality of life. At the end of the 14-week trial, the average number of drop attacks reduced by around 40%, compared to only 17% of patients given a dummy drug. This follows findings last year from another multicentre trial led by Professor Cross and carried out at the GOSH CRF, which found that cannabidiol also reduced epileptic seizures in children with Dravet syndrome.

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Read the paper: Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome 

Precision medicine for children with a rare form of rickets

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, inherited form of rickets that affects approximately 300 children in the UK and causes joint pains, weaker bones, bowed legs and poor growth. Dr William van’t Hoff recruited three GOSH patients into an international multicentre study. After a year of treatment with burosumab, a drug that specifically targets the cause of XLH, growth rates significantly improved, patients reported less pain and X-rays of the joints showed a 50% reduction in severity of rickets. Ashley, aged 14, who took part in the trial along with his sister Lottie, says: “I joined the trial because it could help other people with my condition and it would help my family too – lots of us have XLH.”

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Read the paper: Burosumab Therapy in Children with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia 

First drug to reduce flares in children with recurrent fever conditions

In this trial, injections of the drug canakinumab every 4–8 weeks significantly reduced the number of fever episodes in children with three different types of recurrent fever conditions. Patients experience frequent periodic episodes of fever called ‘flares’ that can last several days or weeks, as well as joint and skin problems. After 16 weeks of treatment, significantly more children who received the drug had no disease flares in that time. The trial, which was led at GOSH by Professor Paul Brogan, is particularly significant, as previously there were no therapies available for two of the three conditions, and the only existing treatment for the third condition – familial Mediterranean fever – requires impractical daily injections.

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Read the paper: Canakinumab for the Treatment of Autoinflammatory Recurrent Fever Syndromes

A novel treatment for the serious neurodegenerative condition CLN2

In this international clinical trial, a drug called cerliponase alfa was infused directly into the brains of 23 patients, four of whom were treated at the GOSH CRF. After a year, children given the drug showed less degeneration of brain tissue and an 80% less of a decline in their motor and language skills. CLN2, which is a rare form of Batten disease, causes seizures, difficulty with coordination and dementia. Before this research took place, there were no specific therapies for CLN2, so this research is an important step forward for patients and their families. This was a highly intensive study led by Professor Paul Gissen at GOSH and involved the first use of a novel device to administer the drug into the brains of children. It also required expert research nurses.

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Read the paper: Study of Intraventricular Cerliponase Alfa for CLN2 Disease 

Young people donate tissue samples to unlock mysteries of arthritis

A new groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Birmingham, Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London and Birmingham Children’s Hospital has revealed important clues into what is driving arthritis in children.

Toddler doing well after receiving newest gene therapy available on NHS

A toddler with a life-limiting and life-threatening rare disease is the youngest to be treated with the newest gene therapy available on the NHS at GOSH.

Genes may help to predict which children will respond well to arthritis treatment

A team of researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London (UCL) have identified a set of genes that could be used to help doctors predict which children will respond well to treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Making it easier to invest in frontline care

GOSH and UCL have signed a landmark agreement to simplify the commercialisation of any joint research and innovation and ensure any financial proceeds are shared equally.