Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that the drug lamotrigine, typically used for epilepsy in children, can prevent brain tumor formation and growth in mice models of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition causing nerve tumors including optic gliomas. This finding paves the way for a potential clinical trial to evaluate lamotrigine’s efficacy in preventing or delaying brain tumors in children with NF1. The Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium is considering launching this groundbreaking prevention trial in response to the promising data. The study revealed that lamotrigine, administered for a short duration at safe doses, effectively halted tumor growth and even prevented further damage to the retina, offering hope for children with NF1. These findings suggest that early intervention with lamotrigine between ages 2 to 4 could significantly reduce the risk of brain tumors in children with NF1, potentially transforming their prognosis and sparing them from the need for chemotherapy.
Epilepsy Drug Prevents Brain Tumor Formation in Mice
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