Anti-seizure therapy with a long-term, implanted intra-cerebroventricular delivery system for drug-resistant epilepsy: A first-in-man study.

Background: A clinical feasibility study was undertaken at a single center of long-term intra-cerebroventricular drug delivery of the anti-seizure medication valproic acid, into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in order to treat drug resistant focal seizures, using an implantable infusion system. The primary objective was to establish the dose range of VPA administered in this manner. Secondarily, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and a preliminary estimate of effectiveness were evaluated.

Gene therapy to enhance allograft incorporation after host tissue irradiation.

Structural bone allografts are used to reconstruct large skeletal defects after tumor surgery. Although allograft-related complications are declining, the use of perioperative radiation therapy is associated with a poorer outcome. Recently, BMP-2 levels in the host bed were reportedly diminished after exposure to radiation doses consistent with those used perioperatively to treat musculoskeletal sarcoma.