Neurological Sciences

, Volume 38, Supplement 1, pp 31–35 | Cite as

The role of anti-CGRP antibodies in the pathophysiology of primary headaches

  • Piero Barbanti
  • Cinzia Aurilia
  • Luisa Fofi
  • Gabriella Egeo
  • Patrizia Ferroni
NEUROBIOLOGY OF HEADACHE
First Online:

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.

Keywords

CGRP Monoclonal CGRP antibodies Migraine Headache Treatment 
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Notes

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

The authors certify that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Italia 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  • Piero Barbanti
    • 1
  • Cinzia Aurilia
    • 1
  • Luisa Fofi
    • 1
  • Gabriella Egeo
    • 1
  • Patrizia Ferroni
    • 2
  1. 1.Headache and Pain Unit, Department of Neurological, Motor and Sensorial SciencesIRCCS San Raffaele PisanaRomeItaly
  2. 2.Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life PromotionSan Raffaele Roma Open UniversityRomeItaly

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