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Karsan N, Goadsby PJ. Intervening in the Premonitory Phase to Prevent Migraine: Prospects for Pharmacotherapy. CNS Drugs 2024; 38:533-546. [PMID: 38822165 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01091-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Migraine is a common brain condition characterised by disabling attacks of headache with sensory sensitivities. Despite increasing understanding of migraine neurobiology and the impacts of this on therapeutic developments, there remains a need for treatment options for patients underserved by currently available therapies. The first specific drugs developed to treat migraine acutely, the serotonin-5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT1B/1D] receptor agonists (triptans), seem to require headache onset in order to have an effect, while early treatment during mild pain before headache escalation improves short-term and long-term outcomes. Some patients find treating in the early window once headache has started but not escalated difficult, and migraine can arise from sleep or in the early hours of the morning, making prompt treatment after pain onset challenging. Triptans may be deemed unsuitable for use in patients with vascular disease and in those of older age and may not be effective in a proportion of patients. Headache is also increasingly recognised as being just one of the many facets of the migraine attack, and for some patients it is not the most disabling symptom. In many patients, painless symptoms can start prior to headache onset and can reliably warn of impending headache. There is, therefore, a need to identify therapeutic targets and agents that may be used as early as possible in the course of the attack, to prevent headache onset before it starts, and to reduce both headache and non-headache related attack burden. Early small studies using domperidone, naratriptan and dihydroergotamine have suggested that this approach could be useful; these studies were methodologically less rigorous than modern day treatment studies, of small sample size, and have not since been replicated. The emergence of novel targeted migraine treatments more recently, specifically calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists (gepants), has reignited interest in this strategy, with encouraging results. This review summarises historical and emerging data in this area, supporting use of the premonitory phase as an opportunity to intervene as early as possible in migraine to prevent attack-related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Karsan
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Wellcome Foundation Building, King's College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
- NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility and SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Peter J Goadsby
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Wellcome Foundation Building, King's College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9PJ, UK.
- NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility and SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Conti M, Bovenzi R, Palmieri MG, Placidi F, Stefani A, Mercuri NB, Albanese M. Early effect of onabotulinumtoxinA on EEG-based functional connectivity in patients with chronic migraine: A pilot study. Headache 2024. [PMID: 38837259 DOI: 10.1111/head.14750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this pilot prospective cohort study, we aimed to evaluate, using high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG), the longitudinal changes in functional connectivity (FC) in patients with chronic migraine (CM) treated with onabotulinumtoxinA (OBTA). BACKGROUND OBTA is a treatment for CM. Several studies have shown the modulatory action of OBTA on the central nervous system; however, research on migraine is limited. METHODS This study was conducted at the Neurology Unit of "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy, and included 12 adult patients with CM treated with OBTA and 15 healthy controls (HC). Patients underwent clinical scales at enrollment (T0) and 3 months (T1) from the start of treatment. HD-EEG was recorded using a 64-channel system in patients with CM at T0 and T1. A source reconstruction method was used to identify brain activity. FC in δ-θ-α-β-low-γ bands was analyzed using the weighted phase-lag index. FC changes between HCs and CM at T0 and T1 were assessed using cross-validation methods to estimate the results' reliability. RESULTS Compared to HCs at T0, patients with CM showed hyperconnected networks in δ (p = 0.046, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC: 0.76-0.98], Cohen's κ [0.65-0.93]) and β (p = 0.031, AUC [0.68-0.95], Cohen's κ [0.51-0.84]), mainly involving orbitofrontal, occipital, temporal pole and orbitofrontal, superior temporal, occipital, cingulate areas, and hypoconnected networks in α band (p = 0.029, AUC [0.80-0.99], Cohen's κ [0.42-0.77]), predominantly involving cingulate, temporal pole, and precuneus. Patients with CM at T1, compared to T0, showed hypoconnected networks in δ band (p = 0.032, AUC [0.73-0.99], Cohen's κ [0.53-0.90]) and hyperconnected networks in α band (p = 0.048, AUC [0.58-0.93], Cohen's κ [0.37-0.78]), involving the sensorimotor, orbitofrontal, cingulate, and temporal cortex. CONCLUSION These preliminary results showed that patients with CM presented disrupted EEG-FC compared to controls restored by a single session of OBTA treatment, suggesting a primary central modulatory action of OBTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Conti
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Bovenzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Placidi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Stefani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Albanese
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Regional Referral Headache Center, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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Scheffler A, Wenzel P, Bendig M, Gendolla A, Basten J, Kleinschnitz C, Nsaka M, Lindner D, Naegel S, Burow P, Fleischmann R, Holle D. Effectiveness and tolerability of eptinezumab in treating patients with migraine resistant to conventional preventive medications and CGRP (receptor) antibodies: a multicentre retrospective real-world analysis from Germany. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:79. [PMID: 38755541 PMCID: PMC11097519 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01788-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eptinezumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP mAb) and is used for migraine prophylaxis. Efficacy data are mainly from clinical trials, real-world data are hardly available yet. Reimbursement policy in Germany leads to eptinezumab mainly being used in patients having failed pre-treatment with other CGRP mAb. To date, it is unclear whether eptinezumab is efficacious and well tolerated in this population and how the treatment response differs from patients who are naive to CGRP mAbs. METHODS We analysed clinical routine data of 79 patients (episodic migraine (EM): n = 19; chronic migraine (CM): n = 60) from four different centres in Germany. All patients were treated with eptinezumab (100mg). Differences in monthly headache (MHD), migraine (MMD) and acute medication days (AMD) after three months were analysed. The correlation of response with the number of CGRP mAb failures was evaluated. Significance level has been corrected (alpha = 0.017). RESULTS After three months MHD, MMD and AMD were significantly reduced. In EM, the median reduction for MHD was 4.0 days (IQR: -6.5 to -1.0; p = 0.001), for MMD 3.0 days (IQR: -5.5 to -1.5; p < 0.001) and for AMD 2.0 days (IQR: -5.0 to -0.5; p = 0.006). In CM, median reduction of MHD was 4 days (IQR: -8.0 to 0.0; p < 0.001), 3.0 days (IQR: -6.0 to-1.0; p < 0.001) for MMD and 1.0 day (IQR: -5.0 to 0.0; p < 0.001) for AMD. All patients were resistant to conventional preventive therapies and most to CGRP mAbs. Fourteen patients had never received a CGRP mAb and 65 patients had received at least one mAb without sufficient effectiveness and/or intolerability (one: n = 20, two: n = 28, three: n = 17). There was a significant association between the number of prior therapies and the 30% MHD responder rate (none: 78.6%, one: 45.0%, two: 32.1%, three: 23.5%, p = 0.010). Regarding tolerability, 10.4% (8/77) reported mild side effects. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of eptinezumab is significantly reduced in patients who have not previously responded to other CGRP mAbs. However, limitations such as the retrospective nature of the analysis, the small sample size and the short treatment period with only the lower dose of eptinezumab must be considered when interpreting the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Scheffler
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), West German Headache Centre, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
| | - Pauline Wenzel
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), West German Headache Centre, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Merle Bendig
- Department of Neurology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Jale Basten
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), West German Headache Centre, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Michael Nsaka
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), West German Headache Centre, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Diana Lindner
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), West German Headache Centre, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Steffen Naegel
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Neurology, Alfried-Krupp Krankenhaus, Essen, Germany
| | - Philipp Burow
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Dagny Holle
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), West German Headache Centre, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
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Wells-Gatnik WD, Martelletti P. Switching CGRP(r) MoAbs in migraine: what evidence? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2024; 24:327-333. [PMID: 38726800 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2354386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 50% of patients that receive a CGRP(r) MoAb for the preventative treatment of migraine are expected to discontinue therapy. For patients that discontinue CGRP(r) MoAb therapy, few clinical options are available. One potential option is to switch CGRP(r) MoAbs, however, data concerning the efficacy of this intervention is scarce. AREAS COVERED This manuscript aims to summarize all available data concerning the potential efficacy of switching CGRP(r) MoAbs following previous medication discontinuation. Data was sourced by completing a database search for the terms: 'CGRP monoclonal antibody switch OR CGRP monoclonal antibody switching.' EXPERT OPINION While data considering the potential efficacy of CGRP(r) switching continues to grow, our expert opinion supports the most recent European Headache Federation statement regarding CGRP(r) MoAb prescribing practices, concluding that there remains insufficient data to determine the efficacy of this intervention. As this topic is of significant clinical importance, we recommend a call-to-action to expand on current data considering the therapeutic options for patients that discontinue CGRP(r) MoAb therapy.
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Cresta E, Bellotti A, Rinaldi G, Corbelli I, Sarchielli P. Effect of anti-CGRP-targeted therapy on migraine aura: Results of an observational case series study. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14595. [PMID: 38332541 PMCID: PMC10853579 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited clinical evidence is available regarding the potential effectiveness of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies for the preventive treatment of migraine with aura. AIM OF THE STUDY This observational study involved a series of migraine patients affected by either migraine with or without aura, who were investigated for any changes in their frequencies and their migraine aura attack characteristics observed during treatment with anti-CGRP Mabs over a 1-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve migraine patients were included, seven of whom were treated with erenumab, 2 with fremanezumab, and 3 with galcanezumab. Clinical data were collected at baseline, which were defined as 3 months prior to the initiation of treatment, and thereafter at each trimester, over the 1-year treatment period. The parameters included the number of headache and migraine days/month, the frequency of aura episodes, the number of days with acute drug intakes/month, and the scores from the migraine disability status scale (MIDAS), and the Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT-6). RESULTS Anti-CGRP Mbs antibodies induced significant decreases in mean headache and migraine without aura days per month, the number of days with medication intake, as well as MIDAS and HIT-6 scores (p < 0.0001). In contrast, the anti-CGRP Mab treatment did not appear to impact the frequency of migraine with aura attacks but seemed to reduce both the intensity and the duration of headache phases of migraine aura. Furthermore, some migraine patients referred to having aura attacks without headache over the course of the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS Based on the above findings, we hypothesize that anti-CGRP Mabs did not influence neuronal and vascular events related to cortical spreading depression (CSD) which is considered the pathophysiological substrate of aura. Conversely, these antibodies are able to counteract, via their peripheral mechanisms of action, the sensitization of the trigemino-vascular pathway which is triggered by CSD. This aforementioned might explain why in our patients, migraine aura attacks remained unchanged in their frequencies, but the headache phases were either reduced or absent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cresta
- Neurologic ClinicUniversity of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
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Dermitzakis EV, Vikelis M, Xiromerisiou G, Rallis D, Soldatos P, Litsardopoulos P, Rikos D, Argyriou AA. Nine-Month Continuous Fremanezumab Prophylaxis on the Response to Triptans and Also on the Incidence of Triggers, Hypersensitivity and Prodromal Symptoms of Patients with High-Frequency Episodic Migraine. J Clin Med 2024; 13:386. [PMID: 38256516 PMCID: PMC10816996 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether the incidence of triggers, prodromal symptoms, hypersensitivity symptoms accompanying headache and responses to triptans were modified during a continuous 9-month fremanezumab therapy for migraine prophylaxis. Patients and methods: We studied 63 patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM). Enrolled patients received fremanezumab for nine consecutive months before defining the response rates and being stratified into treatment responders (≥50-74% reduction in monthly headache days (MHDs)), super responders (≥75%), partial non-responders (<50%) and super non-responders (<30%). Through headache diaries, patients provided data in order to document the impact of fremanezumab on the incidence of triggers, associated symptoms followed by headache and response to triptans (the use of the migraine treatment optimization questionnaire-4 (mTOQ-4)) during the 9-month treatment period. Results: Fremanezumab had early (after 3 monthly cycles) beneficial effects on the response to triptans in the majority of responders with relevant increases in mTOQ-4 scoring, but also in half of partial non-responders. A significant reduction in median days with migraine-associated symptoms was seen in responders after 6 months of therapy with fremanezumab, mostly for osmophobia, photophobia, phonophobia and nausea/vomiting, but partial non-responders also benefited. Likewise, the incidence of self-reported prodromal symptoms was significantly reduced in responders and was modestly diminished in partial non-responders. Triggers remained unaffected in both responders and non-responders. Conclusions: Fremanezumab given for at least 6-9 months may exert neuromodulatory effects in the migraine brain. These effects could result both in the inhibition of migraine chronification, but also in the diminishing of the magnitude of migraine-associated symptoms, mostly in responders and in partial non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michail Vikelis
- Headache Clinic, Mediterraneo Hospital, 16675 Athens, Greece;
| | - Georgia Xiromerisiou
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Rallis
- Department of Neurology, Tzaneio General Hospital of Piraeus, 18536 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Pantelis Litsardopoulos
- Headache Outpatient Clinic, Department of Neurology, Agios Andreas State General Hospital of Patras, 26335 Patras, Greece; (P.L.); (A.A.A.)
| | | | - Andreas A. Argyriou
- Headache Outpatient Clinic, Department of Neurology, Agios Andreas State General Hospital of Patras, 26335 Patras, Greece; (P.L.); (A.A.A.)
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Basedau H, Peng KP, Schellong M, May A. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate erenumab-specific central effects: an fMRI study. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:5. [PMID: 38195378 PMCID: PMC10775481 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01709-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given the findings of central effects of erenumab in the literature, we aimed to conduct a rigorous placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study to elucidate whether the observed changes are directly attributable to the drug. METHODS We recruited 44 patients with migraine, randomly assigning them to either the erenumab 70 mg or the placebo group. 40 patients underwent fMRI scanning using a trigeminal nociceptive paradigm both, pre- and four weeks post-treatment. Participants kept a headache diary throughout the whole study period of two months in total. A clinical response was defined as a ≥30% reduction in headache frequency at follow-up. Details of this study have been preregistered in the open science framework: https://osf.io/ygf3t . RESULTS Seven participants of the verum group (n=33.33%) and 4 of the placebo group (21.05%) experienced improvements in migraine activity, characterized by a minimum of 30% reduction in monthly headache frequency compared to baseline. The imaging data show an interaction between the verum medication and the response. Whilst numbers were too small for individual analyses (Verum vs. Placebo and Responder vs. Non-Responder), the variance-weighted analysis (Verum vs Placebo, scan before vs after weighted for response) revealed specific decrease in thalamic, opercular and putamen activity. INTERPRETATION The central effects of erenumab could be reproduced in a placebo randomized design, further confirming its central role in migraine modulation. The mechanism, whether direct or secondary to peripheral mode of action, needs further exploration. It is important to note that the response rate to erenumab 70mg in this study was not as substantial as anticipated in 2019, when this study was planned. This resulted in a too small sample size for a subgroup analysis based on the responder status was associated with both the verum drug and the relative reduction in headache days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hauke Basedau
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kuan-Po Peng
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marlene Schellong
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arne May
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Boinpally R, Shebley M, Trugman JM. Atogepant: Mechanism of action, clinical and translational science. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13707. [PMID: 38266063 PMCID: PMC10777605 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in 1982, its integral role in migraine pathophysiology, specifically migraine pain, has been demonstrated through cumulative scientific discoveries that have led to the development and approval of migraine-specific therapeutics. Today, eight drugs, including monoclonal antibodies and small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists, known as gepants, have received approval for acute or preventive treatment of migraine. The primary mechanism of these drugs is to block CGRP signaling, thus preventing CGRP-mediated nociception and neurogenic inflammation. Here, we focus on atogepant, a highly potent and selective gepant and the first and only oral medication approved for the preventive treatment of both episodic and chronic migraine in adults. In this article, we summarize the role of CGRP in migraine pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of atogepant. In addition, we provide an overview of atogepant's pharmacology and the key clinical trials and outcomes that have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of atogepant.
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Dodick DW, Goadsby PJ, Schwedt TJ, Lipton RB, Liu C, Lu K, Yu SY, Severt L, Finnegan M, Trugman JM. Ubrogepant for the treatment of migraine attacks during the prodrome: a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in the USA. Lancet 2023; 402:2307-2316. [PMID: 37979595 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ubrogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist that is approved for acute treatment of migraine. The prodrome is the earliest phase of a migraine attack and is characterised by non-aura symptoms that precede headache onset. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ubrogepant 100 mg compared with placebo for the acute treatment of migraine when administered during the prodrome. METHODS This PRODROME trial was a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of ubrogepant 100 mg conducted at 75 research centres and headache clinics in the USA. Eligible participants were adults aged 18-75 years who had at least a 1-year history of migraine with or without aura and a history of two to eight migraine attacks per month with moderate to severe headache in each of the 3 months before screening. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either receive placebo to treat the first qualifying prodrome event and ubrogepant 100 mg to treat the second qualifying prodrome event or to receive ubrogepant 100 mg to treat the first qualifying prodrome event and placebo to treat the second qualifying prodrome event. An automated interactive web-response system used permuted blocks of four to manage randomisation. All people giving interventions and assessing outcomes were masked to group assignment during the study. People doing data analysis, which occurred after study completion, were not masked to group assignment. During the double-blind treatment period, each participant was instructed to orally take two tablets of the study drug at the onset of each qualifying prodrome event. The primary endpoint was absence of moderate or severe intensity headache within 24 h after study-drug dose; efficacy analyses were conducted with the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population, defined as all randomly assigned participants with at least one headache assessment within 24 h after taking the study drug during the treatment period. The safety population included all treated participants who took at least one administration of study drug. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04492020). FINDINGS Between Aug 21, 2020, and April 19, 2022, 518 participants were randomly assigned to double-blind crossover treatment. The safety population included 480 participants and the mITT population included 477 participants; 421 (88%) of 480 participants were female and 59 (12%) were male. Absence of moderate or severe headache within 24 h after a dose occurred after 190 (46%) of 418 qualifying prodrome events that had been treated with ubrogepant and after 121 (29%) of 423 qualifying prodrome events that had been treated with placebo (odds ratio 2·09, 95% CI 1·63-2·69; p<0·0001). Adverse events that occurred within 48 h after study-drug administration were reported after 77 (17%) of 456 qualifying prodrome events that had been treated with ubrogepant and after 55 (12%) of 462 events that had been treated with placebo. INTERPRETATION Ubrogepant was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of migraine attacks when taken during the prodrome. FUNDING AbbVie.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Dodick
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atria Academy of Science and Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Peter J Goadsby
- Department of Neurology, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Richard B Lipton
- Montefiore Headache Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Corasaniti MT, Lawrence GW, Bagetta G, Iannacchero R, Tarsitano A, Monteleone A, Pagliaro M, Tonin P, Sandrini G, Nicotera P, Scuteri D. Combination of anti-CGRP/CGRP-R mAbs with onabotulinumtoxin A as a novel therapeutic approach for refractory chronic migraine: a retrospective study of real-world clinical evidence and a protocol for a double-blind, randomized clinical trial to establish the efficacy and safety. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1296577. [PMID: 38152694 PMCID: PMC10751376 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1296577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic migraine is a disabling neurovascular disorder that ranks amongst the top causes of years lived with disability worldwide. The duration and the frequency of migraine affect cognitive and affective domains, inducing worsening of memory, executive functions, orientation and causing anxiety. Population-based studies report a worrying level of resistance to treatments. Therefore, this study aims: 1) to assess efficacy of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed towards the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor (CGRP-R) for chronic migraine resistant to current preventatives; 2) to design a clinical trial protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy utilizing anti-CGRP/CGRP-R together with onabotulinumtoxin A in patients suffering from resistant chronic migraine; 3) to provide a molecular rationale for combination therapy. A controlled trial is warranted as pooled analysis of real-world data from our group highlighted that combined treatment provides ≥50% reduction vs. baseline (onabotulinumtoxin A) of monthly headache days (MHDs) in up to 58.8% of patients, but there has been only sparse application of this combined therapy to date. The mAbs chosen are: erenumab, because its combination effect with onabotulinumtoxin A improved symptoms in 65% of patients; eptinezumab, due to its faster action. The results highlight that early diagnosis of migraine improves therapeutic outcomes with mAbs alone, confirming their effectiveness and the need for an adequately powered clinical trial evaluating the safety and potential superior effectiveness of eptinezumab/erenumab and onabotulinumtoxin A together.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. T. Corasaniti
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - G. W. Lawrence
- Department of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - G. Bagetta
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - R. Iannacchero
- Department of Neurology, Headache Center, Regional Hospital “Pugliese-Ciaccio”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - A. Tarsitano
- Pain Therapy Center, Provincial Health Authority (ASP), Cosenza, Italy
| | - A. Monteleone
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - M. Pagliaro
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - P. Tonin
- Regional Center for Serious Brain Injuries, S. Anna Institute, Crotone, Italy
| | - G. Sandrini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation Neurologic Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - P. Nicotera
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - D. Scuteri
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
- Regional Center for Serious Brain Injuries, S. Anna Institute, Crotone, Italy
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11
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Waliszewska-Prosół M, Vuralli D, Martelletti P. What to do with non-responders to CGRP(r) monoclonal antibodies: switch to another or move to gepants? J Headache Pain 2023; 24:163. [PMID: 38053061 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01698-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this editorial we aim to provide potential therapeutic options in patients who do not benefit from treatment with CGRP(r) monoclonal antibodies. Based on current real-life studies and analysis of practical and economic aspects, we will analyze the potential benefits of changing CGRP-targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Doga Vuralli
- Department of Neurology and Algology, Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Center of Excellence (NÖROM), Faculty of Medicine, Neuropsychiatry Center, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Paolo Martelletti
- School of Health Sciences, UnitelmaSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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12
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Filippi M, Messina R, Bartezaghi M, Cetta I, Colombo B, Grazzi L, Martinelli D, Ornello R, Pichiecchio A, Raimondi D, Russo A, Sacco S, Splendiani A, Tassorelli C, Turrini R, Valsasina P, Rocca MA. The effect of erenumab on brain network function in episodic migraine patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (RESET BRAIN). J Neurol 2023; 270:5600-5612. [PMID: 37550498 PMCID: PMC10576673 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11879-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to explore whether erenumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, could exert a central effect on brain network function in migraine, and investigate the persistence of such an effect following treatment discontinuation. METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial with a crossover design performed in adult episodic migraine patients with previous treatment failure. Patients were randomized (1:1) to 12 weeks of erenumab 140 mg or placebo, followed by a 12-week crossover. Resting state (RS) functional connectivity (FC) changes of brain networks involved in migraine were investigated using a seed-based correlation approach. RESULTS Sixty-one patients were randomized to treatment. In each treatment sequence, 27 patients completed the visit at week 12. Forty-four enrolled patients, 22 in each treatment sequence, completed the study procedures with no major protocol violations. We observed a carry-over effect of erenumab during the placebo treatment and therefore data analysis was performed as a parallel comparison of erenumab vs placebo of the first 12 weeks of treatment. From baseline to week 12, compared to placebo, patients receiving erenumab showed RS FC changes within the cerebellar, thalamic and periaqueductal gray matter networks, significantly associated with clinical improvement. Compared to non-responders, patients achieving a 50% reduction in migraine days had distinct patterns of thalamic and visual network RS FC. Brain RS FC changes reversed when erenumab was stopped. A lower baseline RS FC of the pontine network identified patients responding to erenumab. CONCLUSION Erenumab modulates RS FC of networks involved in migraine pathophysiology. In line with clinical response, erenumab-induced brain RS FC changes tend to reverse when treatment is stopped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Roberta Messina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Cetta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Colombo
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Licia Grazzi
- Neuroalgology Unit, Headache Center Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Martinelli
- Headache Science and Rehabilitation Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ornello
- Department Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna Pichiecchio
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Russo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (DAMSS), Headache Center, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Sacco
- Department Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Splendiani
- Department Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Headache Science and Rehabilitation Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Paola Valsasina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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13
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Juhasz G, Gecse K, Baksa D. Towards precision medicine in migraine: Recent therapeutic advances and potential biomarkers to understand heterogeneity and treatment response. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108523. [PMID: 37657674 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
After 35 years since the introduction of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), we are living in the era of the second great revolution in migraine therapies. First, discoveries of triptans provided a breakthrough in acute migraine treatment utilizing bench-to-bedside research results on the role of serotonin in migraine. Next, the discovery of the role of neuropeptides, more specifically calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine attack led to the development of anti-CGRP therapies that are effective both in acute and preventive treatment, and are also able to reduce migraine-related burden. Here, we reviewed the most recent clinical studies and real-world data on available migraine-specific medications, including triptans, ditants, gepants and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Novel drug targets, such as PACAP and amylins were also discussed. To address the main challenges of migraine therapy, the high heterogeneity of people with migraine, the prevalent presence of various comorbid disorders, and the insufficient medical care of migraine patients were covered. Promising novel approaches from the fields of omics, blood and saliva biomarker, imaging and provocation studies might bring solutions for these challenges with the potential to identify further drug targets, distinguish more homogeneous patient subgroups, contribute to more optimal drug selection strategies, and detect biomarkers in association with headache features or predicting treatment efficacy. In the future, the combined analysis of data of different biomarker modalities with machine learning algorithms may serve precision medicine in migraine treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Juhasz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; NAP3.0 Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Kinga Gecse
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; NAP3.0 Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Daniel Baksa
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; NAP3.0 Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Personality and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pazmany Peter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
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Labastida-Ramírez A, Caronna E, Gollion C, Stanyer E, Dapkute A, Braniste D, Naghshineh H, Meksa L, Chkhitunidze N, Gudadze T, Pozo-Rosich P, Burstein R, Hoffmann J. Mode and site of action of therapies targeting CGRP signaling. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:125. [PMID: 37691118 PMCID: PMC10494408 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01644-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting CGRP has proved to be efficacious, tolerable, and safe to treat migraine; however, many patients with migraine do not benefit from drugs that antagonize the CGRPergic system. Therefore, this review focuses on summarizing the general pharmacology of the different types of treatments currently available, which target directly or indirectly the CGRP receptor or its ligand. Moreover, the latest evidence regarding the selectivity and site of action of CGRP small molecule antagonists (gepants) and monoclonal antibodies is critically discussed. Finally, the reasons behind non-responders to anti-CGRP drugs and rationale for combining and/or switching between these therapies are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Labastida-Ramírez
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Edoardo Caronna
- Headache Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Headache Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cédric Gollion
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Emily Stanyer
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Diana Braniste
- Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Diomid Gherman, Chișinău, Moldova
- State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Nicolae Testemițanu, Moldova
| | - Hoda Naghshineh
- Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Liga Meksa
- Headache Unit, Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Riga East University Hospital Gailezers, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Tamari Gudadze
- Department of Neurology, Christian Hospital Unna, Unna, Germany
| | - Patricia Pozo-Rosich
- Headache Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Headache Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rami Burstein
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Life Science, Room 649, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jan Hoffmann
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
- NIHR-Wellcome Trust King's Clinical Research Facility/SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
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Peng KP, Burish MJ. Management of cluster headache: Treatments and their mechanisms. Cephalalgia 2023; 43:3331024231196808. [PMID: 37652457 DOI: 10.1177/03331024231196808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of cluster headache is similar to that of other primary headache disorders and can be broadly divided into acute and preventive treatments. Acute treatments for cluster headache are primarily delivered via rapid, non-oral routes (such as inhalation, nasal, or subcutaneous) while preventives include a variety of unrelated treatments such as corticosteroids, verapamil, and galcanezumab. Neuromodulation is becoming an increasingly popular option, both non-invasively such as vagus nerve stimulation when medical treatment is contraindicated or side effects are intolerable, and invasively such as occipital nerve stimulation when medical treatment is ineffective. Clinically, this collection of treatment types provides a range of options for the informed clinician. Scientifically, this collection provides important insights into disease mechanisms. METHODS Two authors performed independent narrative reviews of the literature on guideline recommendations, clinical trials, real-world data, and mechanistic studies. RESULTS Cluster headache is treated with acute treatments, bridge treatments, and preventive treatments. Common first-line treatments include subcutaneous sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen as acute treatments, corticosteroids (oral or suboccipital injections) as bridge treatments, and verapamil as a preventive treatment. Some newer acute (non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation) and preventive (galcanezumab) treatments have excellent clinical trial data for episodic cluster headache, while other newer treatments (occipital nerve stimulation) have been specifically tested in treatment-refractory chronic cluster headache. Most treatments are suspected to act on the trigeminovascular system, the autonomic system, or the hypothalamus. CONCLUSIONS The first-line treatments have not changed in recent years, but new treatments have provided additional options for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Po Peng
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mark J Burish
- Department of Neurosurgery, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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16
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Karlsson WK, Ashina H, Cullum CK, Christensen RH, Al-Khazali HM, Amin FM, Ashina M. The Registry for Migraine (REFORM) study: methodology, demographics, and baseline clinical characteristics. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:70. [PMID: 37303034 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01604-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erenumab has demonstrated effectiveness for prevention of migraine attacks, but the treatment is costly, and a considerable proportion of patients do not respond to it. The Registry for Migraine study (REFORM) was initiated to discover biomarkers that can predict response to erenumab in patients with migraine. The specific objective was to investigate differences in erenumab efficacy based on clinical information, blood-based biomarkers, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and response to intravenous infusion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In this first report of the REFORM study, we provide a comprehensive description of the study methodology, and present the baseline characteristics of the study population. METHODS The REFORM study was a single-center, prospective, longitudinal cohort study in adults with migraine who were scheduled to receive preventive treatment with erenumab as part of a separate, open-label, single-arm phase IV trial. The study included four periods: a 2-week screening period (Weeks -6 to -5), 4-week baseline period (Week -4 to Day 1), 24-week treatment period (Day 1 to Week 24), and a 24-week follow-up period without treatment (Week 25 to Week 48). Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a semi-structured interview, whilst outcome data were obtained using a headache diary, patient-reported outcomes, blood sampling, brain MRI, and responsiveness to intravenous infusion of CGRP. RESULTS The study enrolled 751 participants, with a mean age ± SD of 43.8 ± 12.2 years, of which 88.8% (n = 667) were female. At enrollment, 64.7% (n = 486) were diagnosed with chronic migraine, and 30.2% (n = 227) had history of aura. The mean monthly migraine days (MMDs) was 14.5 ± 7.0. Concomitant preventive medications were used by 48.5% (n = 364) of the participants, and 39.9% (n = 300) had failed ≥ 4 preventive medications. CONCLUSION The REFORM study enrolled a population with a high migraine burden and frequent use of concomitant medications. The baseline characteristics were representative of patients with migraine in specialized headache clinics. Future publications will report the results of the investigations presented in this article. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study and sub-studies were registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04592952; NCT04603976; and NCT04674020).
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Affiliation(s)
- William Kristian Karlsson
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Håkan Ashina
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Kjær Cullum
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune Häckert Christensen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Haidar Muhsen Al-Khazali
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Faisal Mohammad Amin
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Messoud Ashina
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, Glostrup, 2600, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Messina R, Christensen RH, Cetta I, Ashina M, Filippi M. Imaging the brain and vascular reactions to headache treatments: a systematic review. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:58. [PMID: 37221469 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01590-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies have made an important contribution to our understanding of headache pathophysiology. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview and critical appraisal of mechanisms of actions of headache treatments and potential biomarkers of treatment response disclosed by imaging studies. MAIN BODY We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed and Embase databases for imaging studies investigating central and vascular effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments used to abort and prevent headache attacks. Sixty-three studies were included in the final qualitative analysis. Of these, 54 investigated migraine patients, 4 cluster headache patients and 5 patients with medication overuse headache. Most studies used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 33) or molecular imaging (n = 14). Eleven studies employed structural MRI and a few used arterial spin labeling (n = 3), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (n = 3) or magnetic resonance angiography (n = 2). Different imaging modalities were combined in eight studies. Despite of the variety of imaging approaches and results, some findings were consistent. This systematic review suggests that triptans may cross the blood-brain barrier to some extent, though perhaps not sufficiently to alter the intracranial cerebral blood flow. Acupuncture in migraine, neuromodulation in migraine and cluster headache patients, and medication withdrawal in patients with medication overuse headache could promote headache improvement by reverting headache-affected pain processing brain areas. Yet, there is currently no clear evidence for where each treatment acts, and no firm imaging predictors of efficacy. This is mainly due to a scarcity of studies and heterogeneous treatment schemes, study designs, subjects, and imaging techniques. In addition, most studies used small sample sizes and inadequate statistical approaches, which precludes generalizable conclusions. CONCLUSION Several aspects of headache treatments remain to be elucidated using imaging approaches, such as how pharmacological preventive therapies work, whether treatment-related brain changes may influence therapy effectiveness, and imaging biomarkers of clinical response. In the future, well-designed studies with homogeneous study populations, adequate sample sizes and statistical approaches are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Messina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
| | - R H Christensen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - I Cetta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - M Ashina
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - M Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
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18
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Straube A, Broessner G, Gaul C, Hamann X, Hipp J, Kraya T, Neeb L. Real-world effectiveness of fremanezumab in patients with migraine switching from another mAb targeting the CGRP pathway: a subgroup analysis of the Finesse Study. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:59. [PMID: 37221478 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01593-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monoclonal antibodies targeting the CGRP pathway are effective and safe for prophylactic treatment of episodic (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). In case of treatment failure of a CGRP pathway targeting mAb, physician has to decide whether using another anti-CGRP pathway mAb is useful. This interim analysis of Finesse Study evaluates effectiveness of the anti-CGRP mAb fremanezumab in patients with a history of other prior anti-CGRP pathway mAb treatments (switch patients). METHODS FINESSE, a non-interventional, prospective, multicentre, two-country (Germany-Austria) study observing migraine patients receiving fremanezumab in clinical routine. This subgroup analysis presents data on documented effectiveness over 3 months after the first dose of fremanezumab in switch patients. Effectiveness was evaluated based on reduction in average number of migraine days per month (MMDs), MIDAS and HIT-6 scores changes as well as in number of monthly days with acute migraine medication use. RESULTS One hundred fifty-three out of 867 patients with a history of anti-CGRP pathway mAb treatment prior to initiation of fremanezumab were analysed. Switch to fremanezumab led to ≥ 50% MMD reduction in 42.8% of migraine patients, with higher response rate in EM (48.0%) than in CM patients (36.5%). A ≥ 30% MMD reduction was achieved by 58.7% in CM patients. After three months, monthly number of migraine days decreased by 6.4 ± 5.87 (baseline: 13.6 ± 6.5; p < 0.0001) in all patients, 5.2 ± 4.04 in EM and 7.7 ± 7.45 in CM patients. MIDAS scores decreased from 73.3 ± 56.8 (baseline) to 50.3 ± 52.9 (after 3 months; p = 0.0014), HIT-6 scores decreased from 65.9 ± 5.0 to 60.9 ± 7.2 (p < 0.0001). Concomitant use of acute migraine medication had decreased from 9.7 ± 4.98 (baseline) to 4.9 ± 3.66 (3 months) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that about 42.8% of anti-CGRP pathway mAb-non-responder benefit from switching to fremanezumab. These results suggest that switching to fremanezumab may be a promising option for patients experiencing poor tolerability or inadequate efficacy with prior other anti-CGRP pathway mAb use. TRIAL REGISTRATION FINESSE Study is registered on the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (EUPAS44606).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Straube
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Gregor Broessner
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Charly Gaul
- Headache Center Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | - Torsten Kraya
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Sankt Georg Leipzig gGmbH, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Headache Center Halle, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Lars Neeb
- Helios Global Health, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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19
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Russo AF, Hay DL. CGRP physiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic targets: migraine and beyond. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1565-1644. [PMID: 36454715 PMCID: PMC9988538 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00059.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide with diverse physiological functions. Its two isoforms (α and β) are widely expressed throughout the body in sensory neurons as well as in other cell types, such as motor neurons and neuroendocrine cells. CGRP acts via at least two G protein-coupled receptors that form unusual complexes with receptor activity-modifying proteins. These are the CGRP receptor and the AMY1 receptor; in rodents, additional receptors come into play. Although CGRP is known to produce many effects, the precise molecular identity of the receptor(s) that mediates CGRP effects is seldom clear. Despite the many enigmas still in CGRP biology, therapeutics that target the CGRP axis to treat or prevent migraine are a bench-to-bedside success story. This review provides a contextual background on the regulation and sites of CGRP expression and CGRP receptor pharmacology. The physiological actions of CGRP in the nervous system are discussed, along with updates on CGRP actions in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, immune, hematopoietic, and reproductive systems and metabolic effects of CGRP in muscle and adipose tissues. We cover how CGRP in these systems is associated with disease states, most notably migraine. In this context, we discuss how CGRP actions in both the peripheral and central nervous systems provide a basis for therapeutic targeting of CGRP in migraine. Finally, we highlight potentially fertile ground for the development of additional therapeutics and combinatorial strategies that could be designed to modulate CGRP signaling for migraine and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Russo
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Center, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Debbie L Hay
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Nikolova S, Chong CD, Dumkrieger GM, Li J, Wu T, Schwedt TJ. Longitudinal differences in iron deposition in periaqueductal gray matter and anterior cingulate cortex are associated with response to erenumab in migraine. Cephalalgia 2023; 43:3331024221144783. [PMID: 36756979 DOI: 10.1177/03331024221144783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this longitudinal study was to determine whether brain iron accumulation, measured using magnetic resonance imaging magnetic transverse relaxation rates (T2*), is associated with response to erenumab for the treatment of migraine. METHODS Participants (n = 28) with migraine, diagnosed using international classification of headache disorders 3rd edition criteria, were eligible if they had six to 25 migraine days during a four-week headache diary run-in phase. Participants received two treatments with 140 mg erenumab, one immediately following the pre-treatment run-in phase and a second treatment four weeks later. T2* data were collected immediately following the pre-treatment phase, and at two weeks and eight weeks following the first erenumab treatment. Patients were classified as erenumab responders if their migraine-day frequency at five-to-eight weeks post-initial treatment was reduced by at least 50% compared to the pre-treatment run-in phase. A longitudinal Sandwich estimator approach was used to compare longitudinal group differences (responders vs non-responders) in T2* values, associated with iron accumulation. Group visit effects were calculated with a significance threshold of p = 0.005 and cluster forming threshold of 250 voxels. T2* values of 19 healthy controls were used for a reference. The average of each significant region was compared between groups and visits with Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons with significance defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS Pre- and post-treatment longitudinal imaging data were available from 28 participants with migraine for a total of 79 quantitative T2* images. Average subject age was 42 ± 13 years (25 female, three male). Of the 28 subjects studied, 53.6% were erenumab responders. Comparing longitudinal T2* between erenumab responders vs non-responders yielded two comparisons which survived the significance threshold of p < 0.05 after correction for multiple comparisons: the difference at eight weeks between the erenumab-responders and non-responders in the periaqueductal gray (mean ± standard error; responders 43 ± 1 ms vs non-responders 32.5 ± 1 ms, p = 0.002) and the anterior cingulate cortex (mean ± standard error; responders 50 ± 1 ms vs non-responders 40 ± 1 ms, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Erenumab response is associated with higher T2* in the periaqueductal gray and anterior cingulate cortex, regions that participate in pain processing and modulation. T2* differences between erenumab responders vs non-responders, a measure of brain iron accumulation, are seen at eight weeks post-treatment. Less iron accumulation in the periaqueductal gray and anterior cingulate cortex might play a role in the therapeutic mechanisms of migraine reduction associated with erenumab.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Daniela Chong
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,ASU-Mayo Center for Innovative Imaging, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | | | - Jing Li
- Georgia Tech, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia, USA
| | - Teresa Wu
- ASU-Mayo Center for Innovative Imaging, Tempe, AZ, USA.,School of Computing, Informatics, Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, USA
| | - Todd J Schwedt
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,ASU-Mayo Center for Innovative Imaging, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Headache research in 2022: advances and remaining challenges. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:14-15. [PMID: 36517156 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00489-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Schwedt TJ, Nikolova S, Dumkrieger G, Li J, Wu T, Chong CD. Longitudinal changes in functional connectivity and pain-induced brain activations in patients with migraine: a functional MRI study pre- and post- treatment with Erenumab. J Headache Pain 2022; 23:159. [PMCID: PMC9748909 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-022-01526-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Background Migraine involves central and peripheral nervous system mechanisms. Erenumab, an anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor monoclonal antibody with little central nervous system penetrance, is effective for migraine prevention. The objective of this study was to determine if response to erenumab is associated with alterations in brain functional connectivity and pain-induced brain activations. Methods Adults with 6–25 migraine days per month during a 4-week headache diary run-in phase underwent pre-treatment brain functional MRI (fMRI) that included resting-state functional connectivity and BOLD measurements in response to moderately painful heat stimulation to the forearm. This was followed by two treatments with 140 mg erenumab, at baseline and 4 weeks later. Post-treatment fMRI was performed 2 weeks and 8 weeks following the first erenumab treatment. A longitudinal Sandwich estimator analysis was used to identify pre- to post-treatment changes in resting-state functional connectivity and brain activations in response to thermal pain. fMRI findings were compared between erenumab treatment-responders vs. erenumab non-responders. Results Pre- and post-treatment longitudinal imaging data were available from 32 participants. Average age was 40.3 (+/− 13) years and 29 were female. Pre-treatment average migraine day frequency was 13.8 (+/− 4.7) / 28 days and average headache day frequency was 15.8 (+/− 4.4) / 28 days. Eighteen of 32 (56%) were erenumab responders. Compared to erenumab non-responders, erenumab responders had post-treatment differences in 1) network functional connectivity amongst pain-processing regions, including higher global efficiency, clustering coefficient, node degree, regional efficiency, and modularity, 2) region-to-region functional connectivity between several regions including temporal pole, supramarginal gyrus, and hypothalamus, and 3) pain-induced activations in the middle cingulate, posterior cingulate, and periaqueductal gray matter. Conclusions Reductions in migraine day frequency accompanying erenumab treatment are associated with changes in resting state functional connectivity and central processing of extracranial painful stimuli that differ from erenumab non-responders. Trial registration
clinicaltrials.gov
(NCT03773562).
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd J. Schwedt
- grid.470142.40000 0004 0443 9766Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Simona Nikolova
- grid.470142.40000 0004 0443 9766Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Gina Dumkrieger
- grid.470142.40000 0004 0443 9766Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Jing Li
- grid.213917.f0000 0001 2097 4943School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Teresa Wu
- grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636School of Computing, Informatics, Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Catherine D. Chong
- grid.470142.40000 0004 0443 9766Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ USA
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Fila M, Sobczuk A, Pawlowska E, Blasiak J. Epigenetic Connection of the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and Its Potential in Migraine. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116151. [PMID: 35682830 PMCID: PMC9181031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is implicated in the pathogenesis of several pain-related syndromes, including migraine. Targeting CGRP and its receptor by their antagonists and antibodies was a breakthrough in migraine therapy, but the need to improve efficacy and limit the side effects of these drugs justify further studies on the regulation of CGRP in migraine. The expression of the CGRP encoding gene, CALCA, is modulated by epigenetic modifications, including the DNA methylation, histone modification, and effects of micro RNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs, and long-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). On the other hand, CGRP can change the epigenetic profile of neuronal and glial cells. The promoter of the CALCA gene has two CpG islands that may be specifically methylated in migraine patients. DNA methylation and lncRNAs were shown to play a role in the cell-specific alternative splicing of the CALCA primary transcript. CGRP may be involved in changes in neural cytoarchitecture that are controlled by histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and can be related to migraine. Inhibition of HDAC6 results in reduced cortical-spreading depression and a blockade of the CGRP receptor. CGRP levels are associated with the expression of several miRNAs in plasma, making them useful peripheral markers of migraine. The fundamental role of CGRP in inflammatory pain transmission may be epigenetically regulated. In conclusion, epigenetic connections of CGRP should be further explored for efficient and safe antimigraine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Fila
- Department of Developmental Neurology and Epileptology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Anna Sobczuk
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Elzbieta Pawlowska
- Department of Orthodontics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence:
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