Antiepileptic Drug Applications in Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumour, frequently accompanied by tumour-related epilepsy that both impairs quality of life and may drive malignant progression via aberrant neuronal activity. Traditional management of seizures in glioblastoma patients employs antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) primarily to control convulsions, but recent research has explored their repurposing as adjunctive antineoplastic agents. Preclinical studies show that certain AEDs modulate tumour-cell signalling—targeting chromatin remodelling, glutamate neurotransmission and DNA-repair pathways—to inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis and enhance sensitivity to chemo-radiotherapy. Clinically, combining agents such as valproate or levetiracetam with temozolomide or radiotherapy has proved beneficial in selected cohorts, although results remain heterogeneous. The dual action of AEDs on both seizure control and tumour biology presents a compelling strategy to disrupt the neuron–glioma interface and improve therapeutic outcomes.

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Antiepileptic Drug Applications in Glioblastoma Treatment publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in antiepileptic drug applications in glioblastoma treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Glioblastoma: A highly malignant and infiltrative primary brain tumour originating from astrocytic glial cells.

Antiepileptic Drug (AED): A medication used to prevent or reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizures.

Tumour–Neuron Interface: The bidirectional interaction between glioma cells and surrounding neurons that can promote tumour growth via synaptic signalling.

Histone Deacetylase (HDAC): An enzyme that removes acetyl groups from histones, leading to chromatin condensation; its inhibition can trigger tumour-cell apoptosis.

Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) Mutation: A genetic alteration in metabolic enzymes found in certain gliomas, which influences tumour metabolism and prognosis.

Apoptosis: Programmed cell death characterised by caspase activation and DNA fragmentation, essential for removal of damaged or unwanted cells.

References

1. Malignant glioma remodeling of neuronal circuits: therapeutic opportunities and repurposing of antiepileptic drugs. Trends in Cancer (2024).
2. Valproate and lithium: Old drugs for new pharmacological approaches in brain tumors?. Cancer Letters (2023).
3. The Antiepileptic Drug Oxcarbazepine Inhibits the Growth of Patient-Derived Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutant Glioma Stem-like Cells. Cells (2023).