The implemented study “Epilepsy Prevention in Children in China and Poland (EPICAP)” is the continuation of the preventive treatment concept. It is aimed at 1/ validation of the so far known and finding new molecular biomarkers of epileptogenesis in TSC, 2/ validation of those biomarkers in other mechanisms of epileptogenesis than in SG, 3/ comparison of the effectiveness of epilepsy preventive treatment by means of vigabatrin and mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin).
The EPICAP study is to identify the epileptogenesis molecular biomarkers and determination which biomarkers are universal, and which ones are specific for a given mechanism of the occurrence of epilepsy. Therefore, we expect that the EPICAP project will significantly contribute to epilepsy detection and treatment. Characterisation of the factors influencing epileptogenesis is key for searching new mechanisms of anti-epileptic drugs. The results of the conducted study will be in prospective scope of interest of both the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries as well as neurobiologists.
It will be essential that effectiveness of preventive epilepsy treatment with two drugs applied in STC is proven. We expect that thanks to EPICAP new opportunities of treatment will arise, which will contribute to reduction of treatment costs and improvement of the patients’ functioning in the society.
Thanks to the EPICAP project, there will be achieved all the objectives posed for bilateral projects and based on mutual protocols; parallel clinical studies and studies in the area of basic sciences will enhance the Polish-Chinese cooperation in the field of biomedical sciences. Moreover:
- Use of modern molecular methods, statistical techniques, as well as mutual technical and analytical protocols in Polish and Chinese units will allow for increasing the quality of the research network between Polish and Chinese researchers and clinicians.
- The studies which are aimed at identification of universal epileptogenesis biomarkers are unique on the worldwide scale and will bring education and technology to a higher level, both in Poland and in China.
- Identification of biomarkers which may indicate the risk of epilepsy and its intensity in different conditions and populations is commonly regarded as the main task, both in neurology and neurobiology. This type of studies conducted under the project on relatively small groups of patients may constitute the starting point for mutual, large-scale, randomized study which could take international form and be coordinated by EPICAP partners;
- Conducting such a large project will raise the scientific position of both Polish and Chinese partners.
- Discovery of new epileptic biomarkers of universal significance for different epilepsy pathomechanisms may be a breakthrough in epilepsy prevention and treatment, as well as enable commercialisation of research results.
- Direct benefits for STC patients in both countries encompass the participation in the study involving a wide programme of clinical tests and possibility of controlled preventive treatment.
