Published in:
01-05-2017 | NEUROBIOLOGY OF HEADACHE
The role of anti-CGRP antibodies in the pathophysiology of primary headaches
Authors:
Piero Barbanti, Cinzia Aurilia, Luisa Fofi, Gabriella Egeo, Patrizia Ferroni
Published in:
Neurological Sciences
|
Special Issue 1/2017
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Abstract
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator and pain-signaling neuropeptide, is a validated therapeutic target for migraine and cluster headache. Four anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed, representing the first specific, mechanism-based, migraine prophylactic treatment. CGRP mAbs demonstrated good efficacy coupled to excellent tolerability and safety in 5 phase II clinical trials. Notably, CGRP mAbs induced complete migraine remission in a patients’ subset. To date, more than 20 phase III trials using CGRP mAbs for of episodic and chronic migraine and cluster headache prevention are ongoing. Future investigations will shed light on migraine endophenotypes predictive of good CGRP mAbs responsiveness and provide answers on their long-term cardiovascular safety.