A pioneering clinical trial of the drug zorevunersen has transformed the lives of children with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy, according to families participating in the research at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
The trial has enabled previously non-verbal children to speak, reduced debilitating seizures, and allowed participants to engage in activities their families never thought possible, including swimming, skiing, and forming friendships.
Dramatic Improvements in Quality of Life
Seven-year-old Albie Kelly from Barnsley received his first dose of zorevunersen in June 2022. Before the trial, Albie was non-verbal, showed little emotion, and frequently fell when walking. His family rarely left home for fear he might have a seizure in a location not easily accessible for emergency services.
"Since the research trial it's like I have a new child. It's been life-changing. I feel like a millionaire, like I've won the lottery," said Lauren Kelly, Albie's mother. "I used to be terrified to put Albie to bed, never knowing what we'd wake up to. Now, he wakes up and says, 'Morning mummy.'"
Albie is now attending full-time school, has made friends, sleeps through the night, and participates in sports—developments his family describes as "incredibly independent" compared to his condition before the trial.
Freddie Truelove, also seven, was the first child under 13 in the UK to receive zorevunersen when he began treatment in September 2021. His progress has been equally remarkable.
"It's really hard to articulate just how big the impact this research trial has had on us; it has completely changed our lives," said Lauren Truelove, Freddie's mother. "We now have a life we didn't ever think was possible and most importantly it's a life that Freddie can enjoy."
Significant Reduction in Seizures
Dravet syndrome affects approximately one in every 15,000 babies born and typically begins before the age of one. The condition is characterized by frequent, severe seizures and developmental delays.
Prior to the trial, Freddie experienced more than a dozen seizures every night. Now, he has only one or two brief seizures lasting seconds every three to five days, and sometimes goes up to 10 days without any seizures at all.
This dramatic reduction in seizure frequency has enabled substantial developmental progress. Freddie, who previously struggled to talk and form friendships, can now hold conversations, read and write in full sentences, perform mathematical calculations, and has developed the balance and coordination to walk upstairs unaided, swim, and even ski.
Trial Design and Future Implications
The research trial, led by Stoke Therapeutics at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust's dedicated Clinical Research Facility, involves an initial observation period followed by three doses of zorevunersen over 12 weeks. Participants then receive the drug every 16 weeks in the second part of the study.
Currently, six patients from across northern England and the Midlands are participating at Sheffield Children's Hospital, with approximately 17 children enrolled nationally.
Dr. Archana Desurkar, Consultant in Epilepsy at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, emphasized the broader significance of the trial: "By taking part, children like Freddie and Albie are not just helping themselves, they are helping future generations with these conditions too."
She noted that Dravet syndrome is typically "associated with severe refractory epilepsy, severe neurodisability and potentially early death," highlighting the transformative potential of this treatment approach.
Path to Standard Treatment
Despite the promising results, Dr. Desurkar cautioned that it could take several years before zorevunersen becomes part of standard NHS treatment due to the rigorous data assessments and regulatory approvals required.
The trial represents a potential breakthrough for a condition that has historically had limited treatment options, offering hope to families affected by Dravet syndrome and potentially other severe forms of epilepsy.
For the families already benefiting from the trial, the impact has been immediate and profound. As Albie's mother reflected on their transformed daily life: "Our quality of life has improved dramatically. It was surreal to have our lives transformed so quickly."
